Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 193. BENJAMIN F. STURGILL is one of the pioneer ranchman of Baker county, having been engaged in general farming and stock-raising in the vicinity of Keating for forty-five years. He is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred on the 12th of April, 1845, and a son of F. H. and Caroline (Richmond) Sturgill. The parents crossed the plains to Oregon in 1865 and upon their arrival here the father filed on a donation claim, that he cultivated during the remainder of his life. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sturgill numbered thirteen, seven of whom are still living. As he was a youth of twenty years when he accompanied his parents to Oregon, Benjamin F. Sturgill was educated in the common schools of his native state. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-two, assisting his father with the cultivation of the ranch and care of the stock. Upon starting out to make his own way in the world, he filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and also engaged in stock-raising. As he applied himself energetically and systematically to the development of his interests he prospered and subsequently increased his holdings by the addition of another one hundred and sixty acres. In connection with the cultivation of his land, Mr. Sturgill makes a specialty of the raising of cattle and sheep, in which he has met with a gratifying measure of success. His fields are devoted to the raising of cereals and a large portion of his land is in pasturage. He has erected good buildings on his ranch and it is equipped with everything essential for its cultivation, and is provided with a good system of irrigation. It is one of the best kept and most capably supervised placed in the community, Mr. Sturgill giving his personal attention to every detail. In his political views, Mr. Sturgill is a socialist, but while he takes an active interest in all local affairs he has never been identified with any official position. He is a member of Baker Lodge No. 338, B.P.O.E., and belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He is one of the widely known and highly regarded citizens of the community and has hosts of friends whose loyalty he has won through his upright principles and high standards of conduct in all of his relations in life. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 1860, Sept. 18; Sullivan Co, MO; Milan PO, p 841 family # 1520 Francis H. Sturgill, 44, NC, farmer, $3260 / $1425 Caroline, 38, TN George B, 18, MO, farm hand, att. school William R, 17, MO, farm hand, att. school Benjamin F, 15, MO, farm hand, att. school Joel W, 13, MO, att. school Easter C, 10, MO, att. school John J, 8, MO, att. school Mary E, 2, MO family # 1521 Joel Sturgill, 73, VA, farmer, $380 pers prop Rachel, 69, NC, cannot read or write Mary Sturgill, 6, KS Terr., att. school Sarah, 4, KS Terr. 1870, June 19; Baker Co, OR; Powder River Pct, p 39 Geo. B. Sturgill, MO, farmer, $2000 pers. prop. Lydia A, 24, OH, keeping house John J, 7, MO, att. school Eliza B, 3, OR Lina C, 1, OR Benj. F, 25, MO, farmer 1880, June 28; Baker Co, OR; Wingville Pct, p 60 George Sturgill, 39, MO, NC, AL, farmer Lydia, wife, 34, OH, OH, OH Jonathan, son, 17, MO, MO, OH, att. school Eliza B, dau, 15, OR, MO, OH, att. school Linnie C, dau, 11, OR, MO, OH, att. school May, dau, 9, OR, MO, OH, att. school Effie, dau, 7, OR, MO, OH, att. school Joseph C, son, 6, OR, MO, OH, att. school Madison, son, 4, OR, MO, OH Benj. F, brother, 35, MO, NC, AL, single, farmer 1900, June 6; Baker Co, OR; Virtue Pct, p 103 B. F. Sturgill, 54, April 1846, single, MO, NC, AL, farmer Esther C, sister, 49, March 1851, single, MO, NC, AL 1910, April 20; Baker Co, OR; Bed Rock Pct, p 173 Benj. F. Sturgill, 65, MO, NC, AL, single, farmer, stock farm Oregon Death Index: http://www.heritagetrailpress. com/DEATH_INDEX/ Benjamin Franklin Sturgill; died July 7, 1919; Baker Co, OR; cert. # 95 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.