History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 119 - 120

HERMAN B. STURTEVANT

 

From an early epoch in the development of Wexford county until a recent date Heman B. Sturtevant was numbered among its residents and the part which he played in its development, progress and improvement well entitles him to representation among those who have formed its history. He is now living in Owosso. A native of New England, he possesses many of the sterling traits which have ever been characteristic of the people who come from that section of the country. He was born in the township of Weybridge, Addison county, Vermont, on the 30th of May, 1840. His father, Milo Sturtevant, was also a native of Addison county but his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Taft, was born in Pittsford, Vermont. The father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits as a life work and thus provided for his family. Both he and his wife died in Weybridge, her demise occurring when she was about forty-two years of age, while the father died at the age of fifty-one years. They were the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter. Of this family Heman B. Sturtevant was the second. He attended the common schools in his youth and was reared in Weybridge, Vermont, upon his father's farm, residing at that place until the fall of 1859, when he arrived in Michigan, taking up his abode in Livingston county. He attended the normal school at Ypsilanti, this state, and subsequently engaged in teaching school through the winter months for about two years or until after the inauguration of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, had noted the threatening attitude of certain states below the Mason and Dixon line and he resolved that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. Accordingly in 1861 he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company E, Seventeenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until April, 1862, when he was honorably discharged, on account of physical disability. In the meantime, however, he had participated in two very important battles of the war-those of South Mountain and Antietam. After leaving the army Mr. Sturtevant made a short visit to his old home in the Green Mountain state and then again located in Livingston county, Michigan, where he continued his education, realizing its importance as a preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life. He entered the preparatory school at Ann Arbor with the intention of pursuing a college course, but he was obliged to relinquish that plan on account of ill health. Being advised to engage in outdoor life he then turned his attention to farming in Livingston county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Shiawassee, where he also carried on farming for two years. At the end of that time he took up his abode in Owosso and represented its business interests as an enterprising merchant. He remained there until November, 1869, when, disposing of his store, he came to Wexford county, establishing his home in Sherman and at the next regular election of the county officers he was chosen by popular ballot for the positions of county clerk and register of deeds. He acted in that dual capacity for six years, retiring from the position, as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all. He then resumed merchandising and also engaged in real estate business in Sherman, being an active representative of commercial life here until the fall of 1901, when he returned to Owosso. He is, however, still largely interested in lands in this county and in the manufacture of lumber and his investments not only return to him a good income, but contribute to the general prosperity of this section of the state. Upon his removal he not only discontinued his mercantile affairs here, but also resigned from the office of justice of the peace, which he had filled continuously from the spring of 1870 until the fall of 1901. "His even-handed justice" was a characteristic of his official service and "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." For eight years prior to 1901 he served as supervisor of Hanover township and in the discharge of his official duties he was always loyal and reliable. He took a very active part in politics, never failing in his support of what he believed to be right. He was also active and prominent in church work in this county, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while for more than twenty years he was superintendent of its Sunday school in Sherman and was a most active and helpful laborer in the cause of Christianity here. Mr. Sturtevant was married in Unadilla, Livingston county, Michigan, November 26, 1863, to Miss Rhoda A. Dunn, who was born in that place on the 4th of August, 1842. There her girlhood days were passed in the home of her parents. Hillier and Lois (Dunn) Dunn, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Connecticut. Removing to the west, they became residents of Unadilla, Michigan, where both resided until called to the home beyond, the father passing away at the age of fifty-five years, while the mother's death occurred when she was fifty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant have adopted a daughter, Asenath, who is now the wife of Vincent C. Wall, of Sherman, Michigan. Mr. Sturtevant still retains his membership in ShermanLodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is now an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, with which his wife is also identified. Such in brief is the life history of one whose efforts have ever been discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor, whether for the benefit of himself, his country or his county. He has been as loyal to his town, state and nation in times of peace as he was when he followed the starry banner upon the battlefield of the south and his has ever been a creditable and honorable record, winning for himself the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.