MRS. CHRISTIAN STURM, Sr.
After finishing his education in New York, he moved to Delaware and after spending two years in that state he went to Philadelphia where he enlisted in the service of the U. S. army in 1857. Shortly afterwards his company was moved to Newport, Kentucky, and then to New York; then, by the isthmus of Panama route to San Francisco and from the last named place to Astoria. Astoria at that time had but few buildings. Soon after he was stationed at Vancouver and a little later at the Cascades. With his company he walked to the upper Cascades and took the boat to The Dalles and from there he marched with his troop to Fort Walla Walla. He was five years in the army and during his enlistment he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In the army he saw much real fighting. In 1858 he was in the expedition to Colville, which was in command of Colonel Wright. They encountered the Indians, nearly twelve thousand strong, who opened fire on the troops, and the famous battle of Steptoe was fought. During this battle Captain Taylor was killed. Captain Taylor was wearing a silk sash which he took off and presented to Lieutenant Sturm of whom he was very fond. The sash he always kept in memory of momentous hours of danger and as a sacred memento of a true friendship, and it now hangs in its familiar place in his widow's home. The Indians that fought at Steptoe consisted of the Yakimas, Colvilles, Palouses, Spokanes and Coeur d'Alenes. In this famous battle the troops fortified themselves on Steptoe Butte and how bravely they fought history tells. During the battle many Indians were dispatched and as many as one thousand Indian ponies were killed.
After retiring from the army as lieutenant, acting as assistant quartermaster, First Cavalry United States of America, 1862, at Fort Walla Walla (the same fort that President Wilson ordered used in 1917 for a training camp for the Washington State Field Artillery, under command of Major Paul Weyrauch) the wonderful opportunities of the Inland Empire country made a strong appeal to Mr. Sturm. After spending a year mining at Orofino, Idaho, he returned to Walla Walla and went into the livery business with Fred Kraft. After a short time he disposed of his interest in the livery and engaged in the general merchandise business with O. B. Brechtel for a partner. Their store was one of the first in Walla Walla; it was a headquarters for miners returning from the Orofino placer mines; the miners would deposit their gold dust with Messrs. Sturm and Brechtel for safe keeping, there being no banks at that time in Walla Walla. After remaining in the mercantile business for five years Mr. Sturm bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from H. M. Chase two and one-half miles from Walla Walla and engaged in farming. He acquired another adjoining one hundred and sixty acres; also homesteaded one hundred and sixty and preempted one hundred and sixty; then, in later years, he bought five hundred acres more. He was one of the most successful wheat and stock raisers in the valley.
Mr. Sturm was married in 1865 to Miss Marietta Roff. Four sons and two daughters were born to this union, and two sons and two daughters survive. Mrs. Sturm was born September 12, 1844, a daughter of Frederick Roff. Her girlhood was spent in Illinois, but in 1864 she with her parents left Quincy, that state, and they crossed the plains and mountains, using ox and horse teams, the crossing requiring six months. Many were the hardships they endured. Among others, their oxen got on a "poisoned meadow" and died. During the last part of their journey they traveled with a government train and arrived in Walla Walla, October 16, 1864. Mrs. Sturm's father, Frederick Roff, was perhaps the first man to take up a homestead in the valley, filing on one hundred and sixty acres about two and a half miles east of Walla Walla. He there resided until his death, August 2, 1890. Mrs. Sturm survives her husband and resides at the old Sturm home in Walla Walla. More extended mention in regard to the family of Frederick Roff is made in connection with the sketch of Oliver DeWitt, whose wife is a sister of Mrs. Sturm.
Mr. Sturm, who died on January 11, 1909, was one of the foremost pioneers of the western country. Taking up his abode in the northwest when Walla Walla boasted but a few log buildings and the tributary country was but a wilderness, he was one of those sturdy, upright characters who did his full share to help develop the country and make it the success it is today. At all times public spirited and keenly alive and devoted to the interests of the community he was one of the country's true builders. As one of the distinguished pioneers of the country—as a man who performed many good deeds in his day—his name will always be remembered and ever held in the highest respect.
WILLIAM M. SCOTT.