Biographical Sketch of C. E. Starkey, Holden, Johnson County, Missouri 

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.

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Charles E. Starkey, proprietor of the I. Starkey estate and well known 
lumberman of Holden, Missouri, is a native son of Missouri.  He was 
born December 30, 1869, in the house, which is still his home, located
on 5th street, between Market and Main, a residence which has been the
Starkey home in Holden for more than 50 years.  He is a son of I. and
Sarah (O'Neil) Starkey, natives of Ohio and Missouri, respectively. 
I. Starkey, the father, was born in Ohio and when but a child accomp-
anied his parents to Illinois where he was reared to manhood.  Several 
years prior to the outbreak of the Civil War he came to Missouri and
located on a farm near Columbus in Johnson county.  When the Civil War
began, his inclinations and upbringing caused him to cast his lot with
the Union and he returned to the old home neighborhood in Illinois and
there offered his services.  He enlisted in Company K, 63rd Illinois
Infantry and served as a private soldier throughout the great conflict.
He was successively promoted for strict attention to duty and bravery
on the field of battle and at the close of the war had attained the 
rank of captain in command of his company.  Captain Starkey fought in
many important battles during the war and was engaged in some hard
campaigns.  He fought at the great battle of Missionary Ridge, and was
with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea which resulted in
the captures of Atlanta and Savannah.  He also participated in the 
Grand Review of the victorious northern troops at Washington and was
soon afterward honorably discharged from the service.  Soon after the
close of his military service and, when conditions had become normal in
Missouri, he returned West and was here married.  For a short time he
worked at his trade of carpentering and in 1866 he located at Holden in
partnership with William L. Christian engaged in the lumber business
under the firm name of Starkey & Christian.  This firm established one
of the first business establishments in Holden and prospered during the
life of the partnership which endured until 1881 when Mr. Starkey pur-
chased his partner's interest in the business and conducted it under
his own name until his death, August 6, 1900.  Mr. Starkey was one of
the leading and highly respected men of Holden during his many years of
residence in this city and was rated as one of Johnson county's sub-
stantial and enterprising citizens.  He faithfully did his part as a
leader in building and creating the second largest city in the county.
His death was sincerely mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances
and the loss was deeply felt by the city of Holden.  I. Starkey was 
united in marriage in 1865 to Sarah O'Neil, who was born in 1842 in
Saline county, Missouri, a daughter of early Missouri pioneers who came
to this state from Virginia.  Mr. and Mrs. I. Starkey were the parents
of two children: Charles E., subject of this review; and Mattie, wife
of W. L. Blewitt, who is now deceased.  Charles E. Starkey was educated
in the public schools of Holden and Wentworth Military College, Lexing-
ton, Missouri.  Upon the completion of his education he became assoc-
iated with his father in the lumber business and has carried it on
successfully since his father's death.  Mr. Starkey handles building 
materials of all kinds: brick, tiling, cement, plaster, and the best
grades of lumber.  The Starkey establishment is an extensive one cover-
ing about one-hal a city block between Third and Fourth streets in 
Holden.  C. E. Starkey and Sally Redford, of Holden, were married on
July 5, 1894 and they are the parents of one daughter, Mildred, a grad-
uate of the Holden High School.  Mrs. Sally Starkey is a daughter of
George and Deborah Redford and she was born and reared in Johnson
county.  Mr. Starkey is a Republican in his political belief but is
inclined to be independent in local political affairs, believing that 
the best local government can be obtained by electing able men to 
office regardless of their political affiliations.  He has served as a
member of the Holden school board for a period of 17 years and has 
always taken a keen interest and influential part in educational 
matters.  He has also filled the offices of city collector and city
treasurer.  Mr. and Mrs. Starkey and daughter, Mildred, are members of
the Christian church and are prominent socially in their home city
where the name Starkey has long been favorably known.

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