J. C. Sturtevant was born at Spring, Crawford County, Pa., in 1834. His
father, Daniel Sturtevant, was born at Cincinnatus, Cortland Co., N.Y.,
and came to this place with his parents and others of his family in 1820
and settled on the Conneautville road two miles north of Springboro. Daniel
Sturtevant married a Miss Susan Hall, who proved a great helpmate. They
at once settled upon their farm, and being one of the pioneer families at
Spring, they found for their vigorous and strong willing hands plenty to
do, and ere long found themselves the possessers of one of the finest 150-acre
farms in the township.
To this union were five children: Ritner, John C., Seth, Emaline and Almira,
all of whom are now living and married, with a family of children enjoying
the even tenor of life and in the enjoyment of good health.
J.C. Sturtevant was principally educated at the country school house. He
was a faithful student and lost no opportunity in making the most out of
everything he engaged in. What belonged to him he wanted and he proposed
to get it. One day he and the writer went fishing down to the Conneaut Creek.
On returning, our strings of fish were not very heavy, and I proposed to
buy his string. A bargain was struck and two cents the consideration payable
the first time we met. A few days thereafter he espied me with a "Halloo,
Mart., have you got them two cents?" We settled that account on the
spot. But on the other hand, we always found him equally prompt and ready
to pay up to the last penny due.
And no doubt this trait of character has aided much in all his subsequent
transactions, which have proven successful. Young Sturtevant, when a boy,
read Greeley's Political History, and he soon developed into a politician
and took an active part on the Republican side. His first move on the checker
board was sergeant-at-arms a couple of terms at Harrisburg. Next he was
elected to the Legislature and served two terms. Afterwards he embarked
in the hardware business at Conneautville, Pa., successfully, of course,
and now and during the past twenty years at this and other places, he has
been interested in the banking business.
During the thirty years' business career of Mr. Sturtevant, he seems to
have had his share of administrative affairs to settle up for other people,
and it has been done in a satisfactory manner, which is only wrought by
correct business methods. Social in his everyday avocations and his relations
with his fellow man, which has made him a useful, prominent and necessary
factor in society and in the community in which he lives.
From Pioneer Sketches: Scenes and Incidents of Former
Days by M.P. Sargent
Published by Herald Printing & Publishing Co., Ltd., Erie, PA 1891