Wallace Edwin Sturgis Sr. (1898–1966) was an American politician, attorney, and jurist in the state of Florida. He served as a member of the Florida Senate and President of the Florida Senate.[1]

Wallace Sturgis
Sturgis in the 19547
Member of the Florida Senate
In office
1943–1956
Personal details
Born
Wallace Edwin Sturgis

1898
Swiftwater, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedMarch 1966 (aged 67–68)
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
EducationGeorge Washington University (LLB)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War I

Background

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In an interview with the Ocala Evening Star, Sturgis stated that he was born on a cotton plantation in Swiftwater, Mississippi. A talented student, he became the youngest member of his class at the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. He left college in 1916 to enlist in the United States Army, where he was stationed at the Mexico–United States border in Texas. After the start of World War I, Sturgis was stationed in France and as a commissioned officer.

After the war, Sturgis entered law school at the University of Virginia School of Law, though he completed his coursework at George Washington University Law School. While a law student, he worked at the United States General Land Office in Washington, D.C.[1]

In 1928, Sturgis left Washington, D.C. and established a private legal practice in Ocala, Florida. He was a leader in his local chapter of the American Legion and became active in the Republican Party of Florida. In 1943, he was elected to the Florida Senate. In 1956, Sturgis resigned from the legislature to serve as a circuit court judge. He also served as the chair of the state Constitution Advisory Committee. A case was filed against him for his actions as judge.[2][3][4]

Sturgis died in March 1966 of a heart attack at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

References

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  1. ^ a b Cook, David. "The rise of Wallace Sturgis Sr. as a political leader". ocala.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020.
  2. ^ "Florida Judge Given Rare Public Reprimand for Indiscretions". The New York Times. October 9, 1988. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Florida High Court Reprimands Judge in Public". Los Angeles Times. October 8, 1988. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "In Re Sturgis". Justia Law. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020.