STARR, Mary (nee Howard) 1832-1920

STARR, HOWARD

Posted By: Marilyn O (email)
Date: 2/14/2007 at 13:13:29

Mrs. Mary Starr

Another very interesting resident was lost to Osage when the wheels of life ceased turning and "Aunt Molly" Starr passed out of earthly sight on April 2. Her maiden name was Howard, and she was born in Germany of a family of nine children. When she was but a child her parents started for America, but, either by a mistake or the dishonesty of the sea captain, they were taken to Maracaibo, South America, where they lived for about seven years.

After many interesting experiences they came finally to Connecticut. While there Mary was married to James Starr, a Methodist minister. Whether he was a regular ordained member of an annual conference or only a local preacher it has been difficult to determine, but when the Civil war began he enlisted and got as far as Maryland where sickness called his wife to him.

They afterwards went to the Southland, where her husband died, probably in 1862. She was left to struggle along supporting two children- a daughter, Carrie, and a son James. The daughter died in 1878 and the son who was well known in Osage, died some years later, leaving her entirely alone so far as her immediate family was concerned.

Bravely she met the problems of life, husbanding her resources carefully, occasionally having the joy of visiting her only remaining sister, in Michigan, but finding her chief comfort in her church fellowship and in the friendship of her Osage neighbors and friends.

She was an interesting woman. Even after her mental faculites and her memory began to dim, she still carried about with her the cheerful and brave attitude toward life, and the occasional twinkle of humor and wit was often seen on her face.

She was cheerful and kindly without the weakness that so often accompanies these virtues. To the very last she never forgot her family and bible reading, even when she forgot everthing else.

She was 87 years of age on the 7th of last September. She was a good woman.

She passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wheeler, where she had been taken a few days previous for care.

Burial was from the Methodist church, her pastor, Rev. L. C. Lemon, conducting the services at 10:30 on Monday morning and she was laid to rest beside her children in our cemetery. A nephew, L.R. Gage, of Minneapolis, came Saturday afternoon to be present at the funeral.

[Mitchell County Press April 7, 1920]