George B. Starr (1837-1920)

STARR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 09:22:01

George B. Starr
(April 23, 1837 – August 17, 1920)

When the tocsin of war sounded men from all parts of the country flocked to the standard of the nation. From the workshops, from the fields and the offices came those who gave a loyal support to the Union. Donning the blue uniform they bravely met the hardships of war, risking life in order to defend the land which they loved. Among the number found upon southern battlefields in the defense of what they believed to be right was George B. Starr, who is classed among the honored pioneer settlers of Calhoun County and is one who through honesty and indefatigable efforts has gained a handsome competence. Mr. Starr was born in Tazewell County. Illinois. April 23, 1837, his parents being Henry and Catherine (Slygh) Starr, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Albany, New York. They were married in Illinois, September 3. 1836, and located in Tremont. There the father of our subject, who was a physician, died in 1838, and the mother long survived him, passing away on the 25th of November, 1891.
George B. Starr attended school in Rochester, Illinois, and after he had become old enough to earn his own living he worked through the summer months, pursuing his education only in the winter season. When he was twenty-one years of age he began working on a farm and later renting land, continued its cultivation until the 9th of August, 1862, when he placed his name on the enlistment roll of soldiers, joining Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry under Captain Whiting and Colonel Hotchkiss. With his regiment he then went to Louisville under General Buell and on to Nashville, Tennessee, when he joined the forces of General Rosecrans. Later Mr. Starr took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and in all of the engagements which occurred as the army proceeded to that point. From Chickamauga the Union troops fell back to Chattanooga. He was also in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Knoxville, and under the command of General Grant assisted in the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded in a skirmish at Burnt Hickory, Georgia, in the left leg, being shot by a mini ball. On account of the injury he was sent to the field hospital and was afterward removed to the hospitals at Chattanooga, Nashville, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, remaining at the last place until honorably discharged on the 16th of May, 1865, when he returned to Illinois. His military record is one worthy of high praise. He was always found at his post of duty, whether on the picket line or the firing line, and was in many of the most important struggles. Soon after his return to the north Mr. Starr made his way to Calhoun County, Iowa, where he located on eighty acres of land and in 1867 he took up his abode upon his claim, to which he brought his bride.
That year, in Kewanee, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Miss Lamira Sharp, who was born in McAviston, Illinois, October 10, 1847, and was the daughter of Robert M. and Amanda M. (Umstead) Sharp, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. They were married and located in the Prairie state but subsequently removed to Michigan. Later, however, they returned to Illinois, locating in Lafayette, Stark County. The mother died October 26, 1858, and the father went west, since which time no news has been received from him. Mrs. Starr was one of a family of six children and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Charles F., the eldest, was born December 4, 1867, and married Naioma Lesher, by whom he has two children, Vern and Mabel, and with his family resides in Slayton, Minnesota. Stella, born October 6, 1870, is now engaged in teaching school in New Castle, Wyoming. George B., born October 14, 1883, is attending school in Manson, Iowa. When Mr. Starr took up his abode upon his farm in Iowa it was prairie land, with no improvements, but with characteristic energy he began its development and for one-third of a century made his home there on. As his financial resources increased he added to his possessions until he has a quarter section of fine land, upon which he placed a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. His labors have been crowned with success. He worked earnestly and indefatigably in order to make his farm a paying property and now, with a comfortable competence acquired through his earnest efforts, he is living a retired life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His political support is given to the Republican party, to which he has long been a faithful adherent and he has held several of the township offices, being reliable, faithful and active in the discharge of his duties. He belongs to the Allie Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He is today as true to his duties of citizenship as when the Union cause elicited his support and he aided in the defense of the stars and stripes.
[Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.375]