Iowa
Old Press
The Monticello Express
Monticello, Jones co. Iowa
July 26, 1903
Death of Mr. Harry H. Starks.
Mr. Harry H. Starks died at his home in Monticello, last Tuesday
morning the 21st inst. after a long illness. Mrs. Starks had been
a resident of Monticello for nearly forty-five years. He was well
known to all citizens,
and was familarily called "Uncle" Harry Starks. He was
a good citizen, and in the prime of life was one of the most
active of the town's residents. He was a railroad contractor at
one time, and thirty-five years ago was one of the largest real
estate owners in the village. He was largely interested in the
hop yards of the town, and lost heavily when the slump in the hop
market drove the growers out of the business. During those days
of prosperity he was noted for his liberality and free handed
charity. Mr. Starks had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church since ten years of age, and during the years of manhood he
was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. In fact we believe he
was one of the charter members of Burn's lodge. He never let his
fraternity association interfere with his churchly duties. He
found in both the opportunity for making himself better. He was a
man of road sympathies, and in the home he will be mourned as a
kind hisband and patient father.
Mr. Starks was born in Champlain, Clinton county, New York,
September 7th, 1822, and therefore lacked but little of being 81
years old at the time of his death. Until seven years ago he
followed the trade of a blacksmith
during recent years, however, he had been very feeble. He failed
very rapidly during the past few months, and
death came as the expected end of a hard and well fought battle.
MR. Starks removed from New York to
Illinois in 1855, thence to Wisconsin in 1859 and to Monticello
in 1864. He was the father of twelve children seven of whom
survive. The widow * who gave him much patient and loving care
during the long months of helplessness also survives. The
surviving children are A. W. Starks and Minnie Starks of
Monticello;
Mrs. James A.Scott of Emmetsburg; Mrs. J. H. Scott ** of Chicago;
Mrs. T. T. Smith of Canton, South Dakota; Mrs. G. W. Peck of
LeMars; Eugene R. Starks of Medicine Hat, Canada. All exept the
last two named were present at the funeral. The surviving
brothers are N. P. Starks of Monticello and L. W. Starks of
Colerdige, Nebraska. The sisters are Mrs. J. S. Houser and Mrs.
J. M. Lennell of Monticello. The funeral services were conducted
at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the M. E. church by Rev. W. E. Van
Buren. The services at the grave were under the auspices of the
Masonic fraternity.
[*Myra (Scott) Starks]
[**Myrtia M. Starks, J. H. being Myra V. (Scott) Starks' brother]
[transcribed by Sandy, October 2005]