The E. L. Starkey Family

Facts provided by Lela Starkey Aber and Viola S. Grizzard

Edward Lafayette Starkey, born January 5, 1878, was of Germanic-French background, his parents being Thomas Jefferson and Betty Starkey, who lived at Old Ghent (Maydelle). His grandparents, Russell and Elizabeth Starkey, like so many other pioneers who sought rich homestead lands, left Jackson County, Alabama, in 1849, and upon arrival in Texas purchased 250 acres about eight miles west of what presently is Jacksonville.

After the War Between the States, the "Iron Horse" was beginning to change the face of Texas and the original towns were becoming ghost towns as the people moved to railroad centers, envisioning opportunities for new jobs and industry.

When Russell Starkey opened a general store, he hired young Edward Starkey to work for him. Not only did Edward get some formal education, but he also acquired some ideas of work. He developed into a good farm hand and carpenter. He also bought a horse and saddle, which were essential to his "courting" activities.

On July 6, 1899, Edward L. Starkey married Annie Maria Tillman of Tillman's Chapel. They began married life on a farm, but soon moved to Jacksonville, where Mr. Starkey planned and built houses in the fast-growing community. Later, he worked for Aber Box Factory, laying aside some money to buy land, and seeing the arrival of six children—two sons and four daughters.

The railroads needed carpenters for building depots, box cars and round houses; so the good wages attracted him and he went that route, particularly since organized labor was gaining strength and the earnings were increasing. After the 1907 financial panic, he left the I. & G. N. Railroad, bought some 300 acres of land at Ironton and returned to farming, a pursuit in which he prospered. He also raised and sold horses and mules.

By 1915, he moved back to town to remain, doing independent work. He had a taxi service for several years. When petroleum possibilities developed, power lines were being set up and pipeline rights-of-way being bought, he became a helper and guide for men who needed someone who knew land values, the people and routes. During his latter days, Mr. Starkey bought and sold produce in season, and was a cotton-buyer for the Moody Company of Galveston. After a brief illness, he died May 24, 1948. Mrs. Starkey died March 22, 1959.

Mr. Starkey was active in Woodmen of the World, Odd Fellows, the Democratic Party and the Methodist Church. Surviving and still residing in Jacksonville are a son, Ernest E. Starkey, Sr., a daughter, Mrs. Viola S. Grizzard and a grandson, William E. Grizzard, who is a postal worker, Mason and active Baptist.

Other surviving children are Mrs. Lily Starkey Metcalf of San Antonio, Mrs. Lela Starkey Aber, Port Arthur teacher, and Mrs. Elsie Starkey Lassiter of Texas City. The other son, Russell E. Starkey, is deceased.

The six grandchildren are Mrs. Betty Fisher, RN, of Los Angeles, Calif., Ernest E. Starkey, Jr., Tyler oil man, Earl S. Fowler, Jr., with Naval Intelligence in San Juan, P.R., Joe Edd Lassiter with Amoco in Texas City, Jo Ann Lassiter with Lockheed at NASA and William E. Grizzard. There are eight great-grandchildren.

The Edward L. Starkey family poses for a formal portrait about 1915.

The Thomas Jefferson Starkey family in front of their yet incompleted home in old Ghent community, south of Jacksonville. The rock on which the children were standing and sitting was for a fireplace, not yet built. Photo about 1898.