BIO: John M. STARR, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 330-331.
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  JOHN M. STARR, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, March 2, 1866, son of Michael and 
Clara E. (Krough) Starr. An earlier spelling of the family name was 
Stair; two brothers of that name who came from Germany and settled in 
Hagerstown, Md., became the progenitors of the family in America. They 
came during colonial times, and took part in the Revolutionary war. 
Samuel Stair, grandfather of Mr. J. M. Starr, was born near Hagerstown. 
He married Elizabeth Ressler, whose parents had also come from Germany, 
and settled in Franklin county, Pa. Mr. Stair resided for the remainder 
of his life in Guilford township, Franklin county, where at the time of 
his marriage he was living on a farm. His trade was coopering; he was a 
robust, athletic man, skilful in a mechanical way, as well as strong. A 
brother of his enlisted for the war of 1812. Samuel Stair had four sons 
and four daughters. One of his sons, Michael, was the father of Mr. 
Starr. He was born in Guilford township in October, 1802, and lived 
there with his parents until he was nine years old. He was then taken 
by Simon Logan, of Black Log valley, Huntingdon county, in whose family 
he resided until he was eighteen. The treatment he received was the 
reverse of generous. His opportunities for attending school were very 
scanty, and his education was consequently deficient. But, by 
persevering industry, the strictest self-denial and the exercise of 
native intelligence and tact, he was able, ten years after his first 
marriage, which took place January 5, 1830, to buy a farm in Cromwell 
township, on which he lived until he relinquished farming for 
mercantile business. Michael Stair's first wife was Mary, daughter of 
Jacob Hegie, an immigrant from Germany; she was a native of Huntingdon 
county. Their children were: Simon P., deceased; Elizabeth M., 
deceased; Jacob, lives in Tuscarora valley, Pa.; Mary; John M.; and 
Anne, deceased. The mother died on the farm.
  On September 9, 1855, Michael Stair was again married, to Miss Clara 
E. Krough. In 1866, he engaged in mercantile business in Orbisonia, in 
partnership with Adam Krough. This enterprise was successful, and was 
continued until 1878, when Mr. Stair sold out to his brother-in-law, 
Jacob M. Krough, retired to his farm, and resided there until the 
spring of 1884, when he removed to Rockhill, where he resided during 
the remainder of his life. He was a man of fine and well-developed 
figure, and of decided character. His weight was nearly 190 pounds. He 
died June 12, 1888; his wife still survives him. Their children are: 
James, deceased; Frances J. (Mrs. H. R. Jones), Rockhill, Pa.; Henry 
A., resides on the homestead in Cromwell township; Clare E., deceased; 
John M.; Samuel H., farmer, Shirley township.
  The foundation of John M. Starr's education was laid in the 
subscription schools of his own neighborhood. He afterwards attended 
Milnwood Academy, Shade Gap, Pa., for one term, and finished his 
literary course with one year in the high school at Orbisonia. Entering 
St. Vincent's College, near Latrobe, Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1883, 
he graduated in the commercial course in the spring of 1885. A year 
later, Mr. Starr bought an interest in the general store of his uncle, 
J.M. Krough, at Orbisonia; in 1892, he bought his uncle out, and has 
continued the business alone ever since; he has been very successful.
  John M. Starr was married in Altoona, Pa., November 21, 1893, to Mary 
M., daughter of John and Sarah E. (Sauwp) Burns, of Bedford county, Pa. 
To this union there has been born one child, John Lewis. John Burns, a 
native of Blair county, Pa., was during most of his life a merchant at 
St. Augustine, Cambria county, Pa., where he died; the family 
afterwards removed to Altoona, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. 
Starr, soon after their marriage, began housekeeping in Orbisonia. Mr. 
Starr was appointed postmaster of that borough, June 17, 1893. Mr. 
Starr is a Democrat in politics, but has devoted himself more to 
business affairs than to party matters. He nevertheless takes an 
interest in promoting the success of the party with which he is 
identified.