GEORGIA ANN STURGEON was born 11 Dec 1870 in Laclede, MO. She was the youngest daughter born to HUME EDWARD STURGEON and SARAH CAROLINE STEVENS. She was called by several names of affection by her parents: "Georgie" and "Georgie Anna". Georgia Ann had sandy, light brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and was barely five-feet tall. She was energic, intelligent and warmly esteemed by family and friends. She had a common school education in Missouri. She was of Scot-Irish hertiage from patriots that had settled in Lancaster, PA (Sturgeon Family); and Culpeper, VA (Hume Family). Georgia Ann Sturgeon married JOSEPH SIEGLES McPHEETERS on 12 Oct 1885 in Humansville, Polk Co., MO. Joseph S. and Georgia Ann (Sturgeon) and their oldest son, Harry Edward "H.E." McPheeters eventually left their homeplace in Missouri to live in Kansas in the Fall of 1887. It was the desire of Georgia Ann's recently widowed, elderly father that they help him to sell the old Chariton, MO farm and travel with him to live with his two oldest sons in Wichita, KS.. Georgia Ann and her husband, Joseph S. and toddler, Harry E, McPheeters took-up residence Wichita, Sedwick, KS with her brothers: John David and Cora Mae Sturgeon and Edward Tyler Sturgeon. Her oldest sister, Francina "Cina" M. (Sturgeon) Stevens came to visit in Wichita at this time. It was in Wichita that Joseph purchased a bustle-dress for Georgia Ann from a catalog. The main reason they stayed on in Wichita was that Georgia Ann was expecting a baby in a few months and desired to stay-put, and comfort her father! A decision was made after Georgia Ann's father died in 1895 and the "boys" were old enough to travel that they made firm plans to leave the mid-west. There might be more work opportunities and good schools. Georgia Ann Joseph S. McPheeters followed the advice: "GO WEST YOUNG MAN, GO WEST"! They boarded in the Atchison-Topeka-Santa Fe train in 1889, with their two sons, Harry Edward McPheeters and Floyd Valentine McPheeters and all their photos( huge framed etchings of Hume E. and Sarah C. Sturgeon), McPheeters photos and keepsakes. They counted the long dusty miles until the train finally arrived at the last stop in Colorado. They were considered early residents to the new state of Colorado! Georgia Ann helped her husband with co-drafting of their homes in Pueblo. Georgia Ann was a very thrifty woman with excellent natural business skills. She didn't believe in banks! She matched the mathematical abilities of her husband. She managed her husband's thriving carpentry shop. Georgia Ann was a strictly religious woman. Georgia Ann and Joseph S. and the "boys" were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Pueblo. She was a formative instructor to her sons during their early years. As her oldest son, Harry E. matured, became an adult and left home for work and marriage she was later able to offer some of the best conversations that ever took place between mother and son. She spoke words of interested support towards him, and then in the quiet silence of her mother's heart conveyed a depth of love, caring and respect for his life and family (Abt.1947). Georgia Ann enjoyed life in Pueblo and was regarded highly by her husband, beloved by her sons, grandsons and great grandchildren.

Children:
Harry Edward McPheeters, 1886-1952
Floyd Valentine McPheeters, 1888-1970

The McPheeters Family History in the possession of the Leonard Harry McPheeters Family, By: CAMc