----Honorable John R. Sturdevant (1816)

----Source: 1891 Biographical History of Clark Jackson Counties WI.

Honorable John R. Sturdevant, of Neillsville, attorney and counselor at law, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Clark county, being a son of James W. Sturdevant, who settled in the town of Pine Valley, in June, 1854. James W. is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Warren County, in September, 1816, where he grew to manhood. In 1842 he emigrated with his family to Jefferson County, Iowa, and later to Lee County, Iowa. In 1854, as already stated, the family came to Clark County, and still reside on the farm on which they first settled, and which he purchased of the Government. He has been prominently identified with the development of his town, and is an honest, upright and worthy citizen. He was Town Treasurer when Clark County consisted of but one town, and was a member of the Board of County Commissioners for many years. His chief occupation in life has been farming, in which he has attained success. He has taken an important part in many improvements, and has built by contract about eight miles of turnpikes, constituting a part of the main Black River road. Mr. Sturdevant has also attained considerable reputation as a successful bee-keeper, and has the honor of having brought into this county the first swarm of bees. On attaining to the years of manhood he was united in marriage to his present wife, Mary Ann French, who was born in Vermont, in August, 1817, but removed with her parents to the State of New Jersey, and thence to Warren County, Pennsylvania. Considering their somewhat advanced age, they are worthy representatives of the pioneer element of Clark County, that is now fast disappearing. They were the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter: the latter, named Nance, died in childhood. There are three surviving sons: the eldest, Robert S., is a lawyer by profession, and now occupies the position of Circuit Judge, and resides at Dayton, Columbia County, Washington. He is a member of the late constitutional convention of that State. James F. lives at the old homestead in Pine Valley. David Marshall, a deceased brother, died a number of years ago in Pine Valley, leaving a family. He was an energetic and successful business man, and a worthy citizen. Gilderoy, the other deceased brother, died in his early manhood.

John R. Sturdevant, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and educated in the public schools. He was about nine years of age when he came with his father's family to Clark County, He served in the War of the Rebellion as a member of Company I, fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1863, and serving until the close of the war. He was mustered out October 9, 1865. He served with his regiment in several important battles and campaigns. He took part in Bank's unfortunate Red River campaign, serving in A. J. Smith's division, which covered Bank's retreat. He was with his regiment at Memphis, Guntown, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakesley, Mobile and at Nashville, under the brave General Thomas. After returning from the army, he attended school for a time, and then studied law with his brother, R. F. Sturdevant. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Clark County in 1873, and three times reelected to that position. Near the expiration of his forth term, or eight years, as Prosecuting Attorney, he was elected to the office of County Judge, a position he occupied eight years, retiring from that office January 1, 1890, and is now engaged in general practice.

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