New-York tribune., 1909-03-23

He was for thirty-four years a member OF the
Chamber of Commerce, and was at one time
Congressman from the 18th New York District
Rapid transit had been hobby of Mr.. Starin's
during most his active life. and the subway, OF
all forms Of rapid transit. his pet. For years
he fought for il. long before public sentiment
ready support It. To the last OF his con-
nection with the old commission he fought earnest
ly against any further spread OF elevated OF sur
face roads.
II was during the Civil War that the transporta-
ton enthusiast first displayed his unusual ability
as an organizer. At the outbreak OF the struggle
he made application for contracts to transport
military supplies. He had studied the problem so
accurately that he vas able uuderbid all others
The result thar the moving Of supplies at
rates unknown before of great advantage TO
the federal cause More than once despite seem
ingly insurmountable obstacles, large bodies OF
hungry troops, apparently cut OF from all bases
of supplies. relieved by the Starin service
II the reputation acquired at this time
that he built up what eventually became the larg
est harbor naval service in this country II not in
the world.
His organizing ability was conspicuously displayed
in the management Of the naval and merchant
marine pageants in the North and East rivers dur
ing the Centennial Exposition and the Dewey cele-
braton.
Mr. Starin was as we'll known TO pleasure seekers
he the business world Glen Island.
day resort maintained by him for years. was ia
nous in its day. The newsboys. police. fremen,
picnic bands knew him a free lender Of boats
and barges for excursions In other ways Mr.
starin showed his phfanthrOpic spirit The library
OF the Soldiers Home Bath q gift from him
He was a constant and liberal contributor TO vari-
interests at FultonviIe. where he had a spien-
did estate and in many other ways he contributed
unostentatOusy To the good Of others.
The ancestors OF Mr. Starin were OF old Dutch
stock Nicholas starn (as the name was then
spelled. founder of the family in this country.
came to America In 1885 and settled IN Fort Orange
y. Y, now Albany. Among John H Starin's an
cestors men who held commissions IN
the Revolutionary Army and ono who was an Ind
ian Interpreter on General WashingtOn's stan.
Eighteen others wereOprivates and non-commis-
stoned officers in WashingtOn's forces
Mr. Starin horn in Sammonsvile. n Y. IN
1875 He studied medicine and came TO this city as
ii young man. but soon abandoned medicine for
business. Forming the acquaintance OF Commodore
Vanderbilt he appointed to solicit freight FOR
the Hudson River Railroad He soon branched out
for himself however. and at the time OF ms deatn
was in control OF the freight ghterage business Of
the New York Central Il Hudson River Railroad.
the Morris s. Essex Railroad. the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western Railroad and the Central Rail
road OF New Jersey.
A Republican in politics Mr.. starin was twice
elected TO Congress-hrst in 1s76-and was offered
a third nomination. but declined Later he was a
candidate for Governor. but defeated by
Alonzo B. Cornell He was largely instrumental IN
nominating James A Garfield for the Presidency.
and by him offered the post OF COheS'oi VI
the Port of New York. but this he declined
Almost TO the last Mr.. Starin was at his desk at
work attending TO the details Of his great busi-
ness despite his eighty-three years He spent the
latter part OF every summer at Hamilton Lake. his
place in the Adrondacks and much of his time on
his South Carolina ranch. where he owned seven
teen miles Of waterfront. Here he kept seven thou
sand Angora goats. the raising Of which was an
other hobby.
Mr Starin was a member and at one time vice
president of the Union League Club. a member ana
twice president OF the Holland Society a member
of the New York Yacht Club. Chamber OF Com
merce Produce Exchange. New England Society.
St Nicholas Society. Sons OF the American Revo-
luton New York State Agricultural Society, New
York Athletic Club Albany Burgess Corps, Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History. Metropolitan
Museum of Art. Holstein Friesian Association OF
America president of the Saratoga Monument As
socaton and a member of the General Society OF
Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New
York.
He leaves two daughters-Mrs. Spraker and Mrs.
Howard Carroll. and Myndert Starn-
A service for personal friends only will be held
nj The home here tomorrow afternoon AZ 80
o'clock and the public funeral viii be at the home
stead in FuItonviIIe Thursday afternoon at 80
o'clock