Notes for Robert STURGES
From the Franklin Sentinel May 13 1976
Mary Sturges Hudson, Age 85 had visited from Lincoln, Nebraska. Below is the essence of the newspaper article...
Robert and Sarah Sturges came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1878 to homestead 5 miles south of the Republican River. They came out on the railroad to Red Cloud, Nebraska. Another homesteader in the neighborhood, Joe Bell, met them there and brought them on to Franklin with a team of oxen. The Sturges lived in a sod house for many years. While visiting she told of experiences with Indians, one in particular who alarmed her mother by just walking into the house, grinning and waiting. After offering food and money, through sign language, it was finally found he wanted tobacco. When he got that he smiled, bowed and walked out.
Robert Sturges was born in Lincolnshire, England. Close to London. Oral history says he often went to the London Bridge and listened to Big Ben. Birth Year a wild guess. He was the youngest in the family. Proabably came to the US at the age of 16, about 1868. Buried Blk 1, lot 31 Greenwood cemetery, Frankling, NE
Much of the data in family line was obtained or confirmed through work of Mrs. Betty J Powell, Sidney, NE.
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Obituary (Franklin Free Press, Friday, June 14, 1901 1:1)
Robert Sturges died at his home, six miles south of Franklin, the morning of June 11, 1901, of heart trouble, aged 59 years.
The deceased was born in England in 1842. On Dec 25, 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah Bird at Batavia, Ill. Six children have come to bless their union, two of whom are now dead, leaving four, William, Eliza, Mary and Robert to mourn with the wife and mother the departure of the father and husband.
The funeral was held at the house Wednesday at 9 a.m., Rev. E.E. Crippen officiating. A large concourse of kind friends and neighbors followed the body to its last resting place in Greenwood Cemetery. The community has lost an honest man and a kind and obliging neighbor.
Card of Thanks
We tender our grateful thanks to all kind friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us in our sad bereavement. May God bless you in the prayer of our hearts.
Mrs. Robert Sturges and Family