The Russell Starkey Family

By Mrs. Hal Starkey

Elijah Starkey and Rebecca Price were married April 24, 1823, in Jackson Co., Alabama. In 1849, Elijah drowned in the Tennessee River while on his way to Texas.

In 1851, his widow, Rebecca Starkey, and six children lived at Marshall. Later, descendants of sons, Jefferson and Andrew J., were residents of Jacksonville.

Another son, Russell Starkey, and his wife, Elizabeth (Loyd) settled in Cherokee County near Ghent, about 1850, on a 112-acre land grant where he farmed. Russell served with the Confederacy during the Civil War. In the 1880s and 1890s, he was a merchant in the Ghent community.

Russell's son, William E., married Susan Bolton. One of their children, Mrs. Barber Longmire, lives here. A son, Thomas Jefferson Starkey, resided in Jacksonville and his daughter, Daisy Starkey, lives here. She remembers that "Grandpap's" death was the result of his being gored by his bull. Ernest Starkey, a long-time resident of Jacksonville, is a grandson of Thomas J. Starkey.

Rebecca, daughter of Russell, married Adolphus Young Shoemaker, son of Calvin and Mary (McCracka) Shoemaker and grandson of John Shoemaker, all early settlers of Cherokee County. Rebecca and A. Y. Shoemaker were parents of Ernest and Lola (Mrs. O. B. Fox). Both Ernest and Lola were life-long residents. Lola Shoemaker Fox is survived by one son, Russell Fox.

After Rebecca Shoemaker's death, A. Y. Shoemaker married her cousin, Effie Starkey. He was long associated with the tomato business and was a director of the First National Bank. Their son, Jack Shoemaker, graduated from Jacksonville High School and lives in Austin. Effie Starkey Shoemaker was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Starkey (Russell's brother) and Ermine Catherine Blakeley. After their deaths, Effie's younger brother and sister, Homer B. and Catherine Starkey, came here to live with the Shoemakers. Another brother, Maurice Starkey, who married Bonnie Goodson, also lived in Jacksonville. Maurice was engaged in farming and ranching. His daughter, Mrs. Polly Ann Cahill, of Chicago, returns for a yearly visit to her family home.

Homer Blakeley Starkey married Vera Gillespie on July 19, 1908, in the Gillespie home at 918 Kickapoo. In 1911, he operated a clothing business in Jacksonville. After engaging in farming around New Hope, he became land man for the First National Bank in Jacksonville. In 1923, he moved to Austin where he was in the hotel business for many years. In 1941, Homer Starkey "retired" to Jacksonville. He was chairman of the Cherokee County Tire Rationing Board during World War II and was an elder in the Christian Church. He operated a grocery business and in 1946 built Starkey Motel, now owned and operated by his son, Lynn Starkey. Other children of Homer and Vera Starkey are Hal of Austin, Jack and Ned, deceased. There are six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

B. G. Starkey, owner of "Starkey's Used Cars," is a descendant of Jefferson Starkey, brother of Russell. His parents, the W. O. Starkeys, reside in Gallatin. Other area descendants of Jefferson Starkey are Gary Starkey, Mrs. Opal Hicks, Mrs. Jewel Glidden, Mrs. Gertie Higgins and the late Mayo Starkey.

W. E. and Susan Bolton Starkey, parents of Mrs. Barber Longmire.

Early-day Jacksonville youth, with Ernest Shoemaker, back row left, and Homer Starkey, back row center. Others unidentified.

Decked out in their Sunday best is this group of early-day Jacksonville young people.

H. B. Starkey letterhead.

A. Y. Shoemaker business card.