Home of John Houston Sturgell

When we think of buying a new home, we think of all the modern conveniences. The Sturgell family moved from Missouri to Oklahoma in the early 1900’s. This was the home of John Houston Sturgell, born 15 April 1882 in Barry County, Missouri. He married 17 year old Della Brooks on 12 November 1902, also in Barry County.

They had two sons, Louis and Luther, before they headed off to a new life in Oklahoma. Houston, as he was called, died in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma in 1941. Della survived him by five years, passing away in 1946, also in Chickasha. Although both Louis and Luther married, it appears that neither had any children. Louis died in Chickasha on 14 March 1941. Luther died there on 15 August 1960.

In this picture are Houston’s mother, Martha Susannah Alberty Sturgell and Houston’s youngest brother, Andrew Herman, known to all as “Bud.” Bud was born in 1898 and Martha died in 1916, so this photo was likely taken between 1910 and 1915. Not exactly what we would think of when dreaming about our new home, but I am sure Martha and Bud were proudly standing at the front door as the photo was taken and Houston was just as proud to have a home for his young family.

The Sturgells were living in Lincoln, Caddo County, Oklahoma in 1910 and in Anadarko, Caddo County, when Houston registered for the World War I draft in 1917 so this house was likely in one of those two towns. I wonder if this structure is still standing today? I imagine probably not.