Biography of W. S. Starkweather, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ STARKWEATHER FAMILY CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY, MI Page 244 W. S. STARKWEATHER On the list of retired citizens in Elsie appears the name of W. S. Starkweather. He is now enjoying a well-earned rest but for years was a prosperous farmer of Clinton county and also owned and operated land in Montcalm County. He had farming interests in Ovid and Duplain townships and was actively engaged in the tilling of the soil until 1901, when he removed to Elsie and purchased the residence property that he now owns. He dates his residence in Michigan from 1847 and in Clinton County from 1856. He was born at Eagle harbor, New York, March 14, 1847. His father, Sidney Smith Starkweather, was a native of New York and was there reared and married. He wedded Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Pennsylvania and in order to provide for his family he followed the millwright's trade, devoting his entire life to that pursuit. In 1847 he removed westward to Michigan, locating first at Pontiac, where he was employed at his trade, building the first mill on the shore of Lake Huron. It was a sawmill and Mr. Starkweather removed his family there and remained for a year, after which he returned to Pontiac. In 1856 he located in the town of Ovid, Clinton County, where he was also engaged in business as a millwright. He and his sons likewise cleared and opened up a farm in Ovid township, whereon he made his home during his last days. His death, however, occurred at the residence of his daughter in Oakland County, his wife having passed away some four years previous. In their family were twelve children, six of whom reached adult age, of whom two sons and two daughters are yet living. W. S. Starkweather spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farm lads in Ovid Township and assisted in the arduous task of clearing and developing the home place. He remained with his father until after he had reached adult age and in 1864, when a youth of seventeen years, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company K, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. He was detailed to take drafted men to the front and return prisoners to the north and thus he served until the final close of the war, being honorably discharged in June 1865. Mr. Starkweather then returned to his home, where he lived at different intervals for several years, working, however, at other times in other localities. He was married in Ovid Township in March 1873, to Miss Amanda Acre, a native of Canada. In the Acre family were seven children, four sons and three daughters; Joseph, who is living in St. Johns, Michigan; Edward, a farmer residing near the Colony in Duplain township; Arthur, a resident of Ovid Township; Grant, who is living in Eagle Township; Mrs. Starkweather; Mary, and Lillie, the wife of James Worden, of Elsie. Mrs. Starkweather largely spent her girlhood and youth in Clinton County. After his marriage Mr. Starkweather rented land in Ovid Township, where he engaged in farming for two years, and subsequently removed to Montcalm County, where he purchased eighty acres of raw land and began the development of a farm, transforming the tract into a productive property. There he lived for four years, after which he sold that place and returned to Clinton County, purchasing forty acres of land to Duplain Township, near Elsie. Again he began the development and improvement of a farm and subsequently he purchased the old homestead in Ovid Township, to which he removed, living there for many years, when he sold the property to his father, from whom he had purchased it. Mr. Starkweather of this review once more took up his abode in Duplain Township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a few years, and then traded the place for another farm of eighty acres in Duplain Township. Settling thereon he greatly improved the property, adding to it all modern equipment and accessories. He also built a fine large barn at a cost of one thousand dollars and remodeled and improved the house. In all of his agricultural work he has been enterprising and progressive, keeping in touch with modern thought regarding agricultural interests. He has been eminently practical in all his work and year by year he has harvested good crops and thus secured a gratifying financial return for his labor. At length he sold out and bought a home in Elsie, where he has since live retired. He likewise owns another residence in the town. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather have been born three daughters, the eldest being Carrie Belle, the wife of James White, of Lansing Michigan, by whom she has a son, Vern. Ruby Pearl is the wife of Archie Leavey, of Duplain Township, and they have two sons, Glen and Dale, and a daughter, Irma. Nora is the wife of Dow Bennett, of Fairfield, Michigan, and they have two children, Almon and Ethena. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Starkweather is serving on the board of Stewards. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Elsie and gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party, the principles of which he has staunchly championed since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. In all life's relations, whether upon the field of battle, in the discharge of civic duties or in meeting the obligations of home, social or business life Mr. Starkweather is always found loyal and true and his many excellent traits of character commend him to the good will of all with whom he has been associated. dz