Biography - John Edgar Stillman

The Hon. John E. Stillman, who stands in the front rank of the business leaders and strong men of Pensacola, was born at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on February 27, 1866. His parents were John E. and Mary (Lashier) Stillman.

There are two distinct families of Stillmans in the United States: the English family which goes back to the early days of New England, and the German family, which came from Hanover, Germany, to Pennsylvania. Later these Pennsylvania Stillmans emigrated to New Brunswick, Canada, and from there the father of John E. Stillman moved to Wisconsin when he was a young man, and became a practicing lawyer. In 1875 the elder Stillman came to Florida in pursuit of health and settled in Volusia County, being one of the founders of Orange City. Mr. Stillman’s mother was descended from a family that came from England and settled in New York State, but the name indicates that the family was originally of French blood. A very interesting feature of these German Stillmans, who also sometimes spell the name Styllman, is that they intermarried in Germany with French Huguenot families by the names of Maynickie and Maniquet, these being two distinct families, notwithstanding the similarity of names. The name of Mr. Stillman’s mother indicates that some of this French blood has again come into the family in the present generation.

John E. Stillman obtained his education in the High School of Washington, D. C., and the East Florida Seminary, at Gainesville, graduating from the last-named school in 1885.

Mr. Stillman has had a rather peculiar experience: a lifetime republican, living in a strong democratic State, his usefulness as a citizen has been such that he has been in constant demand for public positions. Thus in 1888, then only twenty-two years old, he was elected tax collector of Volusia County, and served two years. In 1890 he was mayor of Orange City, and served one year. He engaged in the real estate business there in 1891, and continued in that until 1893. He then became secretary and treasurer of the Little Brothers Fertilizer Company, which position he held from 1894 until 1897. In 1896 he was elected chairman of the republican State committee, and held that position two years. In 1897 he was appointed collector of customs for the port of Pensacola, and has retained that position continuously up to the present. From 1894 to 1896 he was a member of the board of trustees of the East Florida Seminary. In 1904 he was president of the chamber of commerce of Pensacola, and in that same year became president of the Pensacola Investment Company, one of the large enterprises of that flourishing city. This position he continues to fill with distinguished ability. He is president of the Tri-County State Fair, of the Associated Charities, and chairman of the board of governors of the Osceola Club. In addition to all these, he gives his support as a member to the Young Men’s Christian Association, because it is helpful to the young men of the city. This record shows that Mr. Stillman, though a comparatively young man, has given over twenty years of faithful service to his adopted State. He has won a large measure of business success, and as the Pensacola Journal says, “has made good,” and in doing so he has done much good for his fellow-citizens of Florida. Some of his achievements have been really remarkable. One of his expressions made a profound impression upon the people of Pensacola, when he spoke of “the religion of civic pride.” As chairman of a committee appointed by the chamber of commerce to promote a half million dollar hotel, he carried out that work at a cost of $47.05.

A builder, a constructive business man, a good citizen of the best type, he has been of enormous value to Pensacola during these last fifteen years of growth. Notwithstanding the multiplicity of his labors, he has found time to give to the local press his views on public questions of interest, and these views, unspoiled by the outcroppings of selfish interest, have come to be most highly regarded by the community.

On April 13, 1887, he married Miss Martha C. Deyarman, daughter of Hugh H. and Sophia C. Deyarman. Of this marriage five children have been born, of whom four are living. Richard Edgar is a graduate of the Yale Law School, class of 1909. Jane Heldenbrand, John E., Jr., and Hugh Deyarman Stillman are the younger children.

Mr. Stillman’s religious views incline to the Universalist faith. He has been a constant reader of the Bible and such authors as Emerson, Carlisle and Shakespeare. Commencing with a naturally strong mind, improved by good reading, he is a man of broad and liberal views and extensive information. Mr. Stillman believes that the national welfare would be promoted if the South could have a greater voice and influence in the national councils. To arrive at this end, in his judgment, two political parties are necessary in the South. He believes the present conditions to be unnatural and the greatest deterring influence to a proper development, not only to our section, but of the nation as a whole. In the State of Florida, he would like to see more and better schools. Indeed, he has almost arrived at the point where he favors a compulsory school law. He strongly favors the abolition of the convict lease system, and the use of the convicts in the building of public roads; and like all clear-sighted men, he sees the need of a State tax equalization board.

By his own efforts, Mr. Stillman has won a high place, not only in the business and public life of Pensacola, but of the State of Florida at large.

Contributed 18 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass from 1909 Makers of America, An Historical and Biographical Work by an Able Corps of Writers, Volume 4, pages 478-482.