STARR, John Vincent - Putnam

Starr, Hon. John Vincent. For the past 3 terms St. Joseph, Michigan has had for mayor of that city, Hon. John Vincent Starr, and Mr. Starr has given to the city an honest, upright and progressive executorship, winning the praise of political factions, and the firm support and friendship of all hwo are in favor of good government and desirous of seeing the city advance with the times. John Vincent Starr was born in Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, April 23, 1857. His parents were farmers in the Hoosier state, and as far back as he can trace his ancestry they were all engaged in the same pursuit. The boy attended the district school near his home and later the schools of Ladoga, Danville and the Valparaiso Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. His summer work was on the farm, but he had longings to step out of the trail that had become so hardened by the feet of his generations of ancestors, and made a success in life outside of farm work. He was the first of his family to do this. He had always been fond of tools, inheriting this from his father who was a known expert in hewing house frames with an adze from rough timbers, so he made up his mind to follow the trade of a carpenter, and with this end in view, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter for three years, when he was 16 years of age, and rapidly acquired a proficiency with the divers tools used in carpentering and building work. Coming as he did naturally by this trade, the boy soon advanced rapidly in the art, and became a proficient workman. He studied carefully, adding by reading and practical experience to his knowledge of the trade he had adopted and soon became widely known as an expert builder. He then added architecture to his list of accomplishments, after reading and practicing that art, and he has succeeded in that so well that to-day he is known as one of the finest architects and builders in his section of the state. Many of the larger buildings in the town of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph were planned and built by Mr. Starr. Mr. Starr is the only man who can claim the honor of having been mayor of St. Joseph for three consecutive terms. He is enthusiastic in the growth and prosperity of his city, and is looked upon as a business man of sterling integrity, and exceptional business abilities. e combines with these qualities a rare fund of good humor, a handshake that is cordial and welcome, and an unfailing memory that is always holding in its scope the many friends he has made on his way through life. Mr. Starr is a Mason, a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 56, of St. Joseph; Calvin Britain Chapter, No. 72, Royal and Select Masters, No. 44, of St. Joseph, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of the World, Patrician, New Era, and a charter member of the Commercial Club, of St. Joseph. On September 10, 1883, he married Miss Cordelia Reeves, daughter of W. A. and Martha A. Reeves, of Greencastle, Indiana, the marriage taking place in that city. He has two children, Louisa, his daughter, being 15 years of age, and Edgar L. Starr, his son, 13 years of age. [p. 213]

More on John Vincent Starr

John Vincent STARR, an architect of St. Joseph whose skill and talent in the line of his profession have contributed in substantial measure to the improvement and beauty of the city, is also wellk nown in connection with public affairs here and in office has given proof of loyal and public-spirited citizenship. He was born in Greencastle, Indiana in 1857 and is a son of Isaiah Starr, who was born in Union County, Indiana and died in 1903 age 72. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he carefully conducted business affairs placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding modern improvements to his property. He married Elizabeth Crabb who was born in Indiana and died in 1904 at age 71. In their family were 7 sons and 5 of the number are now living. John Vincent Starr, the eldest surviving member is the only one who resides in Berrien County, his brothers being residents of Missouri. He was reared upon the old home farm in his native state and at the usual age became a student in the district schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. He afterward attended the Danville Normal School and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, being thus well equipped by thorough training for life's practical and responsible duties. At age 21 he started out in life on his own account and went to the west, where he followed carpentering, at the same time devoting his leisure hours to the study of architecture. He worked in many western cities at his trade and as time passed became more proficient in the profession to which he now gives much of his attention. In 1891 he came to St. Joseph where he carried on business as an architect and builder until 1895, when he retired altogether from active building operations and has since given his entire attention to the profession of architeture. He prepared plans for the present Masonic Temple in St. Joseph and also in Benton Harbor and for many other public buildings and private residences throughout the county. He has also done work in Texas and other states and has been very successful being recognized as an able representative of his calling. He is thoroughly conversant with the great scientific principles which underlie his work and at the same time possesses an artistic nature which enables him to produce attrative results combined with utility -which is the secret of every home noted for its beuaty and comfort. The public buildings which he has planned are often regarded as an adornment to the localities in which they are situated and various evidences of the skill of Mr. Starr and now found in Berrien County.

In his political views Mr. Starr is an earnest Democrat. He has made a close study of the questions and issues of the day and is in hearty sympathy with the principles of the party which he supports by his ballot. He has been recognized as a leader in its local ranks and his prominence in the public life of St. Joseph is indicated by the fact he has 4 times been chosen as chief executive of the city, to which he has given a public-spirited and progressive administration, manifesting in the discharge of his offical duties the same keen discrimination and close application which have characterized his private business affairs. He was first chosen mayor in 1896 was re-elected in 1897 again in 1898 and then after an interval of several terms was once more chosen for the office in 1903. He has been identified with many of the improvements of St. Joseph, both in an official and business way. Socially he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Starr was married in 1883 in Greencastle, Indiana to Cordelia Reeves of that city and they had two children, Lulu and Edgar L, both of whom were born in Nebraska where Mr. Starr was making his home at the time of their birth. The daughter is the wife of CW Harger, of Niles Michigan. In 1899, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Starr wedded Nettie M. Fosdick, a native of Michigan and they have a wide and favorable acquaintance in St. Joseph, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially extended to them. Mr. Starr is a man of strong and earnest purpose stalwart in the support of his honest opinions and in his official life as well as his business career has made a creditable record, having the full confidence of his fellow townsmen who have active appreciation for his earnest and beneficial efforts in behalf of the city.

Starr, Hon. John Vincent. For the past 3 terms St. Joseph, Michigan has had for mayor of that city, Hon. John Vincent Starr, and Mr. Starr has given to the city an honest, upright and progressive executorship, winning the praise of political factions, and the firm support and friendship of all hwo are in favor of good government and desirous of seeing the city advance with the times. John Vincent Starr was born in Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, April 23, 1857. His parents were farmers in the Hoosier state, and as far back as he can trace his ancestry they were all engaged in the same pursuit. The boy attended the district school near his home and later the schools of Ladoga, Danville and the Valparaiso Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. His summer work was on the farm, but he had longings to step out of the trail that had become so hardened by the feet of his generations of ancestors, and made a success in life outside of farm work. He was the first of his family to do this. He had always been fond of tools, inheriting this from his father who was a known expert in hewing house frames with an adze from rough timbers, so he made up his mind to follow the trade of a carpenter, and with this end in view, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter for three years, when he was 16 years of age, and rapidly acquired a proficiency with the divers tools used in carpentering and building work. Coming as he did naturally by this trade, the boy soon advanced rapidly in the art, and became a proficient workman. He studied carefully, adding by reading and practical experience to his knowledge of the trade he had adopted and soon became widely known as an expert builder. He then added architecture to his list of accomplishments, after reading and practicing that art, and he has succeeded in that so well that to-day he is known as one of the finest architects and builders in his section of the state. Many of the larger buildings in the town of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph were planned and built by Mr. Starr. Mr. Starr is the only man who can claim the honor of having been mayor of St. Joseph for three consecutive terms. He is enthusiastic in the growth and prosperity of his city, and is looked upon as a business man of sterling integrity, and exceptional business abilities. e combines with these qualities a rare fund of good humor, a handshake that is cordial and welcome, and an unfailing memory that is always holding in its scope the many friends he has made on his way through life. Mr. Starr is a Mason, a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 56, of St. Joseph; Calvin Britain Chapter, No. 72, Royal and Select Masters, No. 44, of St. Joseph, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of the World, Patrician, New Era, and a charter member of the Commercial Club, of St. Joseph. On September 10, 1883, he married Miss Cordelia Reeves, daughter of W. A. and Martha A. Reeves, of Greencastle, Indiana, the marriage taking place in that city. He has two children, Louisa, his daughter, being 15 years of age, and Edgar L. Starr, his son, 13 years of age. [p. 213]

John Vincent STARR, an architect of St. Joseph whose skill and talent in the line of his profession have contributed in substantial measure to the improvement and beauty of the city, is also wellk nown in connection with public affairs here and in office has given proof of loyal and public-spirited citizenship. He was born in Greencastle, Indiana in 1857 and is a son of Isaiah Starr, who was born in Union County, Indiana and died in 1903 age 72. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he carefully conducted business affairs placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding modern improvements to his property. He married Elizabeth Crabb who was born in Indiana and died in 1904 at age 71. In their family were 7 sons and 5 of the number are now living. John Vincent Starr, the eldest surviving member is the only one who resides in Berrien County, his brothers being residents of Missouri. He was reared upon the old home farm in his native state and at the usual age became a student in the district schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. He afterward attended the Danville Normal School and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, being thus well equipped by thorough training for life's practical and responsible duties. At age 21 he started out in life on his own account and went to the west, where he followed carpentering, at the same time devoting his leisure hours to the study of architecture. He worked in many western cities at his trade and as time passed became more proficient in the profession to which he now gives much of his attention. In 1891 he came to St. Joseph where he carried on business as an architect and builder until 1895, when he retired altogether from active building operations and has since given his entire attention to the profession of architeture. He prepared plans for the present Masonic Temple in St. Joseph and also in Benton Harbor and for many other public buildings and private residences throughout the county. He has also done work in Texas and other states and has been very successful being recognized as an able representative of his calling. He is thoroughly conversant with the great scientific principles which underlie his work and at the same time possesses an artistic nature which enables him to produce attrative results combined with utility -which is the secret of every home noted for its beuaty and comfort. The public buildings which he has planned are often regarded as an adornment to the localities in which they are situated and various evidences of the skill of Mr. Starr and now found in Berrien County. In his political views Mr. Starr is an earnest Democrat. He has made a close study of the questions and issues of the day and is in hearty sympathy with the principles of the party which he supports by his ballot. He has been recognized as a leader in its local ranks and his prominence in the public life of St. Joseph is indicated by the fact he has 4 times been chosen as chief executive of the city, to which he has given a public-spirited and progressive administration, manifesting in the discharge of his offical duties the same keen discrimination and close application which have characterized his private business affairs. He was first chosen mayor in 1896 was re-elected in 1897 again in 1898 and then after an interval of several terms was once more chosen for the office in 1903. He has been identified with many of the improvements of St. Joseph, both in an official and business way. Socially he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Starr was married in 1883 in Greencastle, Indiana to Cordelia Reeves of that city and they had two children, Lulu and Edgar L, both of whom were born in Nebraska where Mr. Starr was making his home at the time of their birth. The daughter is the wife of CW Harger, of Niles Michigan. In 1899, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Starr wedded Nettie M. Fosdick, a native of Michigan and they have a wide and favorable acquaintance in St. Joseph, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially extended to them. Mr. Starr is a man of strong and earnest purpose stalwart in the support of his honest opinions and in his official life as well as his business career has made a creditable record, having the full confidence of his fellow townsmen who have active appreciation for his earnest and beneficial efforts in behalf of the city.

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After divorcing John Vincent Starr, Cordelia Reeves married her second husband, Carroll Kendrick "Ken" Priest on August 3, 1892 in Putnam County, IN. They had four or five children. Carroll's first wife was Sarah Ann "Sallie" Reeves, sister of Cordelia. Another sister, Margaret T. Reeves, married Erastus M. Hinkle, his parents were Peter Hinkle and Caroline Priest, who was the older sister of Carroll Kendrick Priest.

If I figured it out right, John and Cordelia divorced between 1887-1888, maybe in NE. John's second wife, Nettie M. Fosdick, who was born in MI but was living in NE (probably Hamilton County) about the same time as John. Nettie's first husband was Elmer F. Titus, who was also born in MI. They married in NE in 1882. Don't know if marriage ended in divorce or his death.

John and Cordelia's two children were born in NE. Son Edgar's World War I Draft Registration Card says he was born in Humboldt, Richardson Co., NE, suppose sister Lulu was born there too.

My chart for Carroll Kendrick Priest and his wives has more information. If anyone would like my chart, give me your email address, and I will sent it to you. It's 17 pages.

I am a Priest family descendant and researcher.

Karen mandsager@msn.com