----Source: An American Sketchbook - Neillsville and Claire (Clark Co) Wisconsin by: Bella French - 1875
James Sturdevant came to this place in 1848, from Lee county, Iowa. His birth-place was Pennsylvania. At this time he did not come to stay. He returned again in 1854, and has resided here ever since, except an absence of about a year in Washington Territory in 1874. He was married and had four children when he came to Neillsville, viz., Robert, James, Rufus and Marshall. Robert, who studied law under his uncle, B. F. French, and afterwards held the position of District Attorney of Clark county, removed in the fall of 1873 to Washington Territory, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession. Rufus now holds the office vacated by his brother, and is engaged in the practice of his profession and lumbering. Their father has generally devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, but has also spent much time in keeping bees. For many years he has had an average of about one hundred swarms. He has returned from the Pacific coast and now lives on his farm, one mile south of Neillsville.
