STARNS-Daniel W. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

STARNS, Daniel W., was born in Fountain County, Indiana near Jacksonville, Oct 21, 1842 and lived on a farm until 18 years of age. His advantages for learning were limited, but he studied at home until he obtained a fair education, often writing for local newspapers. Sept 18, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B 10th Ill. Vol. Inf serving 3 years in the meantime correspondent for several northern newspapers. He wrote several poems that were extensively copied, over the nom-de-plume of "Frank Mayfield." After being mustered out he attended Wabash College for a time, and then engaged in business in Jacksonville, Fountain County in the autumn of 1865 and was appointed postmaster. He was married in March 1866 to Mary E. MILLER and in July was nominated for rep. to the legislature on the republic ticket, but was defeated by a small majority. He then sold out and moved to Hillsboro and taught school till 1870, and the same year was a deputy US marshal for taking the census of Ft. Co. In 1871 he moved to Crawfordsville and accepted a position in the grocery of AF Ramsey, Esq, for 8 years being gen. superintendent. In 1878 he was secretary of the Republican central committee. During his residence in the "Athens of Indiana" he paid considerable attention to writing poetic compositions for the "Cincinnati Gazette," "Toledo Blade," "Indianapolis Journal," etc. with an occasional magazine article, until his reputation became state wide. He is at present employed as chief salesman in the wholesale grocery house of TN LUCAS, Esq. Mr. Starns has a cottage of his own in one of the suburbs, where he lives, surrounded by a happy and loving family. "Paw-paw" under "Frank Mayfield" is included in the above history book.