Bio of STURMAN, Riley (b.1830), Wright Co., MN
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403   HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY

Riley Sturman, a worthy pioneer, and venerable veteran of the Civil war, 
now deceased, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 16, 1830, son of 
Thomas Sturman, a native of Virginia. Riley Sturman received his education 
in the schools of his native state. At the age of seventeen he moved to 
Greenup, Cumberland county, Illinois, where he farmed and did railroad work. 
In the spring of 1855 he started for Wright county, reaching here in the 
early part of July. On July 3, 1855, he and his uncle, Samuel Sturman, cut 
the first road through what is now the village of Delano. It was a crude 
affair, but enabled their oxen to get through to section 23, Franklin 
township, where, on July 4, Riley Sturman took a claim of 160 acres and 
erected a preemption shanty. He broke the land and engaged in farming. In 
time he erected a log house. In 1863, just as he was getting well started 
in his farming operations, he enlisted in Co. D, Hatch's Battalion, 
Independent Cavalry, and served some two years in the Northwest. He was 
honorably discharged at Ft. Snelling in 1865, and returned to his farm. 
Gradually he improved and developed the place, until it was a splendid estate 
in every particular. In 1869 he built a frame house, and other buildings were 
also constructed from time to time as the necessity presented itself. Mr. 
Sturman was a natural leader among his fellows. For twenty-five years he 
served continuously on the school board.  In 1876 he was assessor.  For three 
years he was chairman of the town board.  In addition to this he served on 
many committees and delegations.  He died, sincerely mourned and beloved, July 
11, 1913, after an illness of several months. At that time it was written 
of him: "Mr. Sturman was numbered among the early, hardy 

404   HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY 

pioneers, who braved the rigors of frontier life and made Minnesota what 
it is. He was among the first to blaze the trails into the mighty forests, 
making a home for himself and family, and sharing with his neighbors the 
trials that mark the pioneer's life. In all, he was an obliging neighbor, 
ever ready to help the needy. He was a good husband and a kind father, 
and, being blessed with a strong constitution, he proved an able helpmate 
in supplying the needs of a large family." His widow, who worked shoulder 
to shoulder with him through all their married life, now lives in section 
25, Franklin township. Riley Sturman was married January 1, 1857, to Louisa 
Murphy. They were the first couple married in Watertown, Minn. Thirteen 
children were born: Mary Ann is the wife of Thomas Worthy, of Rogers,
Benton county, Arkansas; Eleanor married Edward Burke, and died in 1887; 
Matilda married W. H. Moxon, and died in 1889 at Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo; 
Hannah died at the age of two years, two months and twenty-two days, in 1863; 
Ichabod died in Lisbon, N. D., December 2, 1889; Clark lives in Franklin 
township; James lives in Black Duck, Minn.; Samuel S. and John live in 
Deary, Idaho; Almeda is now Mrs. Harvey A. Leighton, of Wayzata, Minn.; 
Bertha is now Mrs. McClellan Belt, of Delano; Lena is now Mrs. William R. 
Jabusch, of Minneapolis; and Mabel died in 1903. Lena Sturman was born in 
Delano, Minn., December 21, 1878, attended the public schools, and lived 
in Delano until her marriage, August 18, 1898, to William R. Jabusch, a
native of Minneapolis, in which city they now reside, at 3210 Fourth street, 
North. There are three children: Irene, born August 27, 1899; Lucile, 
born June 17, 1903, and Florence, born January 20, 1909.