CHARLES H. STURGIS  was born in New Jersey in August of 1859 to John and Mary Sturgis. The 1870 Census shows the family, which included younger brothers John and George, living in Newton Township, near the Gloucester City post office. This area was annexed to Camden the following year, becoming Camden's Eighth Ward.

He married Caroline Horneff on April 3, 1877. There were five children born to the family, William Paul Sturgis, Charles H. Sturgis Jr. Harry Jacob Sturgis, Clarence Wilbert Sturgis, Edna May Sturgis. The 1910 Census also indicates a sixth child, Thekla Sturgis, was born in 1897.

In November of 1899 Charles Sturgis was considered for an appointment to the Camden Fire Deopartment, but the job did not come his way. He was added to the Department in April of 1905.

The 1900 Census shows Charles and Caroline Sturgis at 709 Ferry Avenue with children Charles H. Jr, Harry, Clarence, and Edna at home. Charles H. Sturgis Sr. was then working as a huckster.

The 1910 Census shows son Clarence and his wife living at 650 Ferry Avenue, son Harry, his wife and child at 652 Ferry Avenue, and at 662 Ferry Avenue lived Charles H. Sturgis Sr., wife Caroline, and daughters Edna and Thekla. The 1910 Census also indicates that Charles Sturgis was working as an oilcloth printer at the time. He may have temporarily left the Fire Department, as it is known that he was a member both prior to and after the 1910 Census was enumerated.

Charles Sturgis left the Camden Fire Department at some point after December of 1914. By 1920 he had moved to Verga in Gloucester County. He died of cancer in late December of 1924 and was buried next to his son Harry at New Camden Cemetery on January 2, 1925.