Starkweather, Leonard N.

STARKWEATHER, THOMPSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/29/2013 at 16:23:56

LEONARD N. STARKWEATHER, lime, Fairview; he was born August 8, 1814, in Herkimer Co., N.Y.; in 1848, came to Pennsylvania; in 1850, to Michigan; in 1851, he came to Jones Co., Iowa; in 1852, he started the first saleratus works in the State, and ran it about ten years; he formerly kept a hotel in Fairview; in 1875, he commenced the lime business and still continues it. Married Polly Thompson; she was born in New York in 1824; have six children—Adelia, Lucy J., Charlotte A., Ann E., Mary A. and Ida L. Has been School Director about fifteen years, and Justice of the Peace about eight years. Republican; Baptist.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 581.

Note: Saleratus is sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda. Mr. Starkweather started the saleritus business before 1850. His occupation in the 1850 census is "saleratus."