Emanuel W. Starr’s life story is a vivid illustration of dedication to agriculture and community service in Williams County. Born on December 25, 1851, in Richland County, Ohio, Starr moved to Williams County with his family in 1864, where he would eventually take over the family farm in Brady Township. His successful endeavors in farming and stock raising are reflective of his commitment to hard work and progressive agricultural practices. Married to Catherine Warren in 1880, their lineage and contributions to the community, including their children’s achievements, underscore a legacy of educational pursuit and professional success.
Emanuel W. Starr. — The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader’s attention is herewith directed is among the favorably known and representative citizens of Williams County, where he has spent practically his entire life. He has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career has met with success as a general farmer and stock raiser, being a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose.
Emanuel W. Starr, whose splendid farm is located in the northwest quarter of section 19, Brady Township, Williams County, was born in Richland County, Ohio, on December 25, 1851, and is the son of Robert and Rebecca (Wilson) Starr, both of whom also were natives of Richland County. They were there reared, educated and married, and lived there until September, 1864, when they came to Williams County, settling on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. There they spent the remainder ‘of their lives, both being now deceased. They became the parents of four children, as follows: Angeline died in infancy; Emanuel W., the subject; Eliza J., who became the wife of E. C. Boothman; Reuben, who graduated from a law school and practiced his profession in Bryan, now deceased.
Emanuel W. Starr was about thirteen years of age when the family came to Williams County and here he received the major part of his education in the district schools of Brady Township. He remained at home with his parents, practically taking charge of the operation of the farm until 1899, when he bought it and has since devoted his energies to its cultivation. He has been successful in his labors and is considered an enterprising and thoroughly practical agriculturist. In addition to the raising of general crops, he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which has proven a very profitable adjunct to his other labors.
On November 16, 1880, Mr. Starr was married to Catherine Warren, who was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, on August 17, 1855, the daughter of William and Helen (Lutz) Warren. Her father was a native of Maryland and her mother of Pickaway County, Ohio, where their marriage occurred. They came to Williams County in 1847 and settled in Jefferson Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their daughter, Catherine, was reared in Jefferson Township and secured a good common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Starr have been born the following children: Oscar W., who was married to Leora Mann, lives in West Unity, and they have five children; Loren B. was married to Jennie Smith and lives in Brady Township; Orville O., who married Edna Todd, is engaged in the operation of his father’s farm; Leland E., after graduating from the West Unity High School, attended the Ohio State University, where he graduated as a veterinarian and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at West Unity; he was married to Zada Fink in 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Starr are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being a trustee of Fountain Chapel, with which they are affiliated. He is a republican in his political faith and is serving as a trustee of Brady Township. In every relation of life Mr. Starr has fulfilled his every obligation and has given his support whole-heartedly to every movement for the advancement of the best interests of the community, therefore he enjoys to a notable degree the confidence and regard of all who know him.
Source: Bowersox, Charles A. ed. A standard history of Williams County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development , 2 vols. Publisher Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1920.