Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Jesse Starr
Jesse Starr, eldest son of John and Mary (Willitts) Starr, was born March 24, 1816, in Berks County, Pa., where his parents were born, reared and married. In 1819 they settled in Preble County, Ohio, residing there till 1832, when they settled in Wayne County, Ind., on the farm now owned by our subject. John Starr was a successful farmer and business man, and he and wife belonged to the Society of Friends till their death. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, all deceased except our subject. He was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education, and afterward attended the Richmond high school six months. In 1846 he was married to Sarah M., daughter of Joel and Hannah Mathews, who came to Wayne County in 1834, remaining till their death. They were members of the Society of Friends. They had eight children, all living except Benjamin Mathews, who was a soldier in the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died soon after reaching home in 1863, from disease contracted in the army. Mr. and Mrs. Starr have had nine children, of whom five survive - Mary, wife of A. L. Hampton, of Richmond; John, married Alice Brannon, and resides in Richmond; Edward, married Emma Cook and lives on the homestead, and Joel E. and Carrie at home. Henrietta, William, Libbie and Hannah are deceased. Mr. Starr is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are member of the Society of Friends.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2