The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1899-01-25
MEMoIR-MATTHEw L. STARR.

Schoharie county, N. Y, April 4, 1903;
and died at Penheld, Ohio, January H.
1899, having nearly completed ninety
wears. He married Miss Sallie Hayes
March 3, 1881. Their golden wedding
was celebrated in 1881, OF their child
rem, the eldest daughters, Alta NJ ana
Sarah, died at the ages Of OF twenty-one
and twenty-three, and little boy OIL fnve'
went before them. Elbert A., Watson f.,
and Irving Starr and Mrs. Mary B. Smell
don, of Kansas, are the surviving sons ana
daughter. OF his fathers family, only
his youngest brother is living, Alden
Starr, Of Cleveland, now an invalid Ihe
deceased united with the Methodist
Episcopal church in his youth and was
prepared for the ministry by liberal
educational advantages for that day,
though his school life was shortened Dy
trouble with his eyes, which the limita-
tions Of science could not then so readily
correct as now. But with carefully
chosen library and good current litera-
ture always at hand; an omnlvorOus Dut
discriminative reader, with retentlVe
memory and good mind, he was close
and constant student of histOryand we'll
versed in the progress and events of the
world; a clear thinker and writer, an
instructive, interesting and forclole
speaker.
Entering the ministry in his native
town, he was afterward four years in the
New York conference, having appoint
ments in Massachusetts and Connecticut
| In 1888 he was transferred to the Michl-
gan conference, LOrain county, o., being
included therein, where his own and his
wife's family had settled, and his first
pastoral work here was two years In
/ Elyria, and then Medina and Wellington,
the latter a circuit. He became mem
ber of the North Ohio conference on Its
organization in 1840, and at the time OF
his death was its oldest member THIN,
Sidney, BellefOntaine and Lima were his
next stations. At Lima his health failed
and he brought his family to Penheld
and commenced to improve the tract OF
forest which ultimately became the fruit
bearing and cultivated farm and home
stead, where he spent many peaceful and
happy years and saw the close life.
He resumed work in the North ONO
conference, preaching at Grafton, Rich
field, Columbia and Hayesville. SOrely
stricken by the loss Of two daughters in
the bloom of youth, the second of whom
died in Richfeld, it was saddened home
to which they came on their return to the
farm; but the parents we're many years
active participants in all the religious
interests and public enterprises OF the
. township. As a local or superanuateC
preacher he gave many years OF accept
} able service and was long a Sunda!
school superintendent Of marked ability
Mr. Starr with VIM. Andrews and d. W
: G. Dickson, was trustee OF tn
town library of Penfeld, for year
great educational factor to whicl
! many who afterward had some prOml
: nence in the professions owed a debt o
gratitude for their early knowledge o
Q literature and intellectual stimulus ant
8 aspirations.
Never garrulOus or impulsive, MIR
: Starr did not force his opinions intru
r sively, yet was most interesting in con
s versatiOn. He was model in speaking
y well of the absent and of those il
J. authority. If he could not commend o
: endorse he had the grace of silence in
b way mot to compromise and not to offend
:, A detractOr, a fault-fnder or mischief
+ maker would be utterly baflled in tn
: presence of such man. He was strOn
s in faith, definite and joyous in his relie
= iOus experience, useful and helE
full laymen in the church, and on
: who commanded the respect and &C
y miratiOn of his brethren in the mir
g istry in his own and other den0mlnt
d tiOns, to whom he was wise, loyal an
e most cOmpanionable friend. He ha
g been the idol of his wife and daughter
o the friend and counselor of his sons,
|, beloved pastor, an influential citizel
n His work was done, and his fading da
y fingered beyond the sunset into pr
e longed evening.
" "There was no sting to deaf
The grave had lost its victory;
l. 1t was but crossing, with abated breat
y And white set face a little strip of sea,
k To find the loved ones waiting on the
IT shore,
G. More beautiful, more precious than
g. BEFORE" M. II. H.
Funeral services were conducted
Mr.. Starr's late residence, by the past
IL of the NJ. Z. Church, Rev. W. W. Lon
III assisted by Revs. Norton and Jacol
10 The scripture lessons were the
40 Psalm; Rev. %; l-S, read by Rev. JacOl
Vi pastor of the Congregational church
no Dnnaold