Iowa
Old Press
The Monticello Express
Monticello, Jones County, IA
January 18, 1923
THE PASSING OF ALFRED W. STARKS.
Taps sounded for another Civil war veteran yesterday afternoon,
when Alfred W. Starks passed to the Great Beyond, after an
illness which extended over a period of five weeks. Mr. Starks
had been in failing health for more than a year, previous to his
death. Alfred Wesley Starks was born in Mooretown (?) New York,
May 16, 1843, and would therefore have been 80 years of age his
next birthday, had he lived. When a boy of 12 years, he removed
with his parents to Waukegan, [Lake Co.] Illinois, where the
family home was made for several years. Thereafter the family
removed to Delton, [Sauk Co.] Wisconsin. It was in this town that
Mr. Starks received his education in the public schools and later
attended the academy at that town.
Mr. Starks enlisted at Delton, November, 1861, in Co. E of the
12th Wisconsin infantry. He served his entire first enlistment of
three years and he was discharged at the close of the war in
1865. Co E was under the leadership of Capt. Gillespie and saw
service at Corinth, the battle of Vicksburg, the battle of
Hatchie, Champion Hills, Baker Creek, and took part in the march
with Sherman to the sea. At the close of the war, Mr. Starks
mother having died, his father, Harry Starks, removed from
Wisconsin to Monticello. He was followed by the son upon his
discharge from the army. A few months after his discharge he was
married to Miss Martha J. Starks, February 12, 1866, at the
Gillen house in Anamosa. The marriage ceremony was performed by
Rev. Eddy, and was witnessed by Mr. and Ms. G.W. Peck, who are a
present residents of LeMars [Plymouth Co., IA].
Mr. Starks was engaged in the hop business for many years.
Thereafter he was employed as a butter inspector for the Diamond
Creamery Co. He held this position for 14 years, and thereafter
retired to his home located in the northwest part of Monticello.
There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Starks. Frank W.
Starks, at present a resident of Sturgis, [Meade Co.] South
Dakota, Mrs. Jessie Matthiessen, who died April 21, 1897, and
Mrs. Mattie McNurien of Byron, [Ogle Co.] ILL. The son, Frank
Starks, visited his father two weeks ago, but will be unable to
be at the funeral. Mrs. McNurien is expected on the evening train
today. In addition to his widow and two children he is survived
by the following sisters: Mrs. G. W. Peck of LeMars and Mrs.
James Scott of Emmetsburg [Palo Alto Co., IA] He is also survived
by the following half brothers and sisters: Eugene Starks who is
a resident of Canada; Mrs. Tillie Smith of Canton, [Lincoln Co.]
South Dakota; and Mrs. Minnie Carson of Monticello. The funeral
services will be held next Sunday, January 21. Short services,
which will include a prayer, will be had at the home at 2
o'clock, and final services will be held in the Methodist
Episcopal church at 2:30 o'clock. The services will be conducted
by Rev. Thomas Neilson, the pastor of that church. The Masonic
fraternity, of which the decedent was a member, will also take
part in the funeral, and will conduct the services at the grave.
Burial will be had at Oakwood cemetery.
Mr. Starks had a host of good friends who recognized his worth
and the sturdy character which led him to increase his three
years enlistment and spend nearly four years in the defense of
his country. He stood always for what was morally right, and
never, hesitated in lending a hand when it might be needed.
[transcribed by Sandy, October 2005]