My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. ROBERT A. STARKEY. Within the past decade many business establishments have been founded in Springfield, and from small beginnings have developed into prosperous enterprises, making this city a leading commercial and manufacturing emporium. One flourishing firm was established in 1882, and is now carried on under the name of Starkey & Scowden, our subject being the senior partner. Mr. Starkey first opened a store on a small scale, occupying onty one little room on West High Street, where as a dealer in boots and shoes he became well known throughout the city and vicinity. The acknowledged superiority of his stock, as well as his courteous treatment of customers, combined to increase his trade and, in 1883, he moved to larger quarters, locating in the Arcade building, where is now carried on a successful business, occupying two rooms. The annual sales of the firm amount to over $100,000, which sufficiently indicates the popularity of the managers and the unvarying excellence of their goods.

A native of the Buckeye State, our subject was born in Scioto County, March 23, 1836. He came of Virginian parentage, and traced his ancestry back to substantial English and Scotch forefathers. He is the son of William J. and Martha (Jones) Starkey, both of whom were born in Cumberland County, in the Old Dominion. At an early day, however, they left their Southern home, and sought a more congenial location in the Buckeye State, settling in Pike County, where Robert A. passed his youth. His father, being both a farmer and carpenter, was an industrious, active man, and accumulated a competence sufficient to make happy the declining days of himself and his wife. They died at their Ohio home, he in June, 1867, and she in June, 1857.

On the maternal side, our subject is the grandson of Daniel Jones, who was born in Virginia, of English lineage, and whose ancestors on both sides had crossed the Atlantic at an early period in the history of the United States, settling on the James River, near the point where Gen. Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant. Being descended from a long line of patriotic and worthy ancestors, it is not surprising that our subject possesses qualities of highest patriotism and most scrupulous honor. His military career proves that he faithfully maintained those principles which his parents early instilled into the minds of their children.

Being the eldest of eight children, of whom six, four sons and two daughters, grew to maturity, Robert A. Starkey was at an early age made useful on the homestead, and received the advantages of what was then considered a good common-school education, attending a country school until 1855. Then, at the age of nineteen years, he commenced his mercantile career, as a clerk in a country store at Jasper, Ohio. He afterward became a partner in the enterprise, the business being conducted under the name of S. N. Cutler & Co. After continuing in this manner until the outbreak of the Civil War, he then, in connection with Dr. Wells S. Jones, who was made Captain, recruited a company, of which he was made First Lieutenant. They belonged to Company A., Fifty-third Regiment, Ohio Infantry, and were assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, Gen. Sherman commanding.

In April, 1862, our subject was promoted to a captaincy in his company, and acceptably discharged the duties of this position until the summer of 1864, when he resigned on account of disability. He participated in the following battles; Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and many less important engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Pike County, Ohio, where he remained one year, and thence going to Portsmouth, the same State, he entered a wholesale boot and shoe store in the capacity of clerk. However, his worth soon commanded attention, and he was taken into the house as a partner, the firm name being Hibbs, Richardson & Co. He retained his interest in this establishment about nine years when, disposing of it, he went to Cincinnati, and engaged in manufacturing boots and shoes for three years. He dates his residence in Springfield from 1882, when the prospects of that city for business enterprises attracted his attention, and he determined to make it his home. It has proved a wise selection, socially and financially; politically, he has always worked with the Republican party, and is considered one of its most influential members. In religious matters, he is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which he is a Trustee. He maintains his interest in the past history of his nation and his connection therewith, by being identified with the Mitchell Post, G. A. R. He also belongs to the Loyal Legion, Cincinnati Commandery.

Capt. Starkey has always found a helpful companion and a devoted wife in the lady with whom he was united in marriage January 5, 1880. She bore the maiden name of Alice Wilkinson, and she was born and reared in London, England, whence she emigrated to America in 1871, settling in Cincinnati. Her parents, Henry Thomas and Hannah (Stratton) Wilkinson, were also natives of England, and are now deceased. Mrs. Starkey received a thorough musical education, both in England and America, and was trained to become a capable housekeeper. Intelligent and refined, she makes a charming hostess, and under her pleasant roof guests receive a hearty welcome.