Thomas Jefferson Starke (1823 - 1903)

Born 25 May 1823 in Charleston, Kanawha, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Amanda Belle (Homan) Starke — married 30 Nov 1847 (to 27 Jun 1903) in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Jun 1903 at age 80 in Otterville, Cooper, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Thomas was born in 1823. He is the son of John Starke and Sallie Whiteside.

Thomas Jefferson Starke was the son of John & Sarah "Sallie" (Whitside) Starke. He married Amanda Belle Homan on Nov. 30, 1847. The names of their children are shown on Amanda's memorial.

Over the years Thomas served as a teacher, lawyer, and judge of Cooper Co, MO.

Thomas died on June 27, 1903. Amanda died on Sept. 29, 1917.

Thomas was well known for writing a short history of the settlement of Lebanon and Otterville Townships of Lebanon & Otterville. On the 4th of July Celebration in 1876, he read the history to a meeting of the citizens of Otterville. "At the solicitation of a few leading citizens of Otterville, I have prepared the following brief history of this place & vicinity since its first settlement up to the present time; embracing short biographical sketches of the lives & characters of some of the older citizens, together with facts & incidents of interest which have transpired in this county during the first period of its existence.

It is not pretended by the author that the production possesses any peculiar methods of its own as affording information other than of a strictly local character. Nor is it designed otherwise than for the entertainment & amusement of those who are more or less familiar with the history of the people & incidents pertaining to this immediate neighborhood, and who, with many others of our inhabitants of a later period, meet with us today on this joyful & happy occasion - the one hundredth anniversary of the independence of our common country.

The writer does not lay claim to entire originality in the production of these brief sketches, although he had been an eye-witness to most of the occurrences presented, & personally acquainted with nearly all of the characters mentioned."

Space prevents finishing his speech about the various citizens.

Source: History of Howard & Cooper Counties Missouri, 1883, reprint in 1973. Page 921

Thomas Jefferson Starke's obituary reads in part: "A number of years ago he was admitted to the bar, and, while not actually engaging in the active practice of the law, he was the trusted legal advisor for the people throughout [his] portion of the county. He had also been for several terms a justice of the peace and no magistrate ever had fewer decisions reversed than he.

He was prominent in Masonic work." T. J. Starke was a long time member of the Pleasant Grove Lodge, No. 142, A.F. & A.M. at Otterville, Mo. This lodge passed the following resolution at Starke's death: "Whereas, The Supreme Ruler of all has, in his infinite wisdom, removed from among us our beloved brother, Thomas J. Starke, and, Whereas, The long association and intimate relation he has sustained toward us, and the faithful discharge of all his duties in our Order, makes it proper that we publicly express our appreciation of him, Therefore, Resolved, That the upright life, the living example, the wise counsel and the good he has done among us in upholding the principles and precepts of our Order, will ever be held in sacred remembrance by us all. Resolved, That the removal of such a life from among us leaves a vacancy that will be keenly felt by all the brethren, and prove a great loss to the Lodge, the home, and the community.. . A. L. Zollinger, R. E. Potter, L. P. Fairfax.

Sources

• Taken from the Starke Family Genealogy, compiled by Letha Starke Stults. 1976

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44289215/thomas-jefferson-starke

• Source:

FamilySearch Family Tree Under license to MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd. https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-40001/familysearch-family-tree

Record: https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-40001-661053683/thomas-jefferson-starke-in-familysearch-family-tree Thomas Jefferson Starke

Citation: Thomas Jefferson Starke Birth: May 25 1823 - Charleston, , West Virginia Death: June 27 1903 - Otterville, Cooper, Missouri Parents: John Starke, Sarah Starke (born Whiteside) Wife: Amanda Belle Starke (born Homan) Children: Rufus B Starke, Mary Frances Koontz (born Starke), Edith L Starke, Neal W Starke, Lydia Belle Minter (born Starke), George Washington Starke, Homan Starke Siblings: Addison Starke, Maria Starke, Allen Starke, Milton S. Starke, Creed Starke, Wyatt Starke, Harriet Boone Boatright (born Starke), John Stark II, Dryden Starke, George Washington Stark, Creed Taylor Starke