Starns - Daniel W.
Source: H. W. Beckwith (Chicago: HH Hill) History of Montgomery
County, 1881 p 236
STARNS, Daniel W., was b. in Fountain Co, 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 Co in the autumn of
1865 and was appointed postmaster. He was marr. 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 sec. of the
republican central committee. During his residence in the "Athens
of Indian" 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. - transcribed by kbz