(Please email Russ
Sprague if you are part of this family line or
have ancestry in St. Lawrence county N.Y. - Posted March 1, 2002)
Source: “As Time Goes By”, Odebolt, Iowa
1877-1977,
printed by The Odebolt Chronicle May, 1977, p. 69)
Emmett Starner, born 1852, in Pennsylvania, was the son of Isaac
and Sophia (Worley) Starner. In 1876 he left home and went to Ames,
Iowa. He worked as farm laborer there. In 1878, he came to Odebolt,
where the new town was just being formed. He worked at the Wheeler Ranch
for fourteen years, working up to assistant Superintendent and the last six
years as Superintendent. In 1893, Mr. Starner embarked in the furniture
and undertaking business in Odebolt. In 1885, Mr. Starner married Helen
Sprague, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sprague. Mr. and Mrs. Starner
were parents of one son, Arthur.
Source: History of Sac County Iowa, pp. 685-687
By William H. Hart
Published 1914 by B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Emett Starner, retired merchant and pioneer of the city of Odebolt, is perhaps better versed in the happenings in his neighborhood during his long residence in Sac county than any living person. For years he has kept a careful diary of daily occurrences and has kept an accurate weather report, principally for his own division, but which is now valuable.
Emett Starner was born January 8, 1852, in Adams county, Pennsylvania, the son of Isaac and Sophia (Worley) Starner, both native born to that state. They resided in Pennsylvania until the year 1894 and then removed to Odebolt so as to be in close proximity to their children when old age came creeping on them. The father died in Odebolt and the aged mother still resides here with her son and a daughter, Mrs. William Ream.
Mr. Starner received his early training on a farm in his native state and managed to secure a good education in the schools of his neighborhood, this education having since been augmented and broadened by much private reading. In 1876 he left home and located in Illinois and spent four months in the town of Moweaqua. He then went to Ames, Iowa, and located in the farming section of Story county, there working at farm labor for nearly two years.
On March 14, 1878, Mr. Starner arrived in Odebolt, or rather on the site of the town which had just been projected and planned. He was given employment on the Wheeler ranch and remained in Mr. Wheeler's employ for a period of fourteen years, four years of which time he was assistant superintendent and during the last six years of his service he was the efficient and valued superintendent. When one considers that this famous ranch comprised over seven thousand acres, and even now, when it is owned by the Adams family and consists of ten sections of land or a total of sixty-four hundred acres, the responsibility engendered and assumed by the head of such an immense plant is significant. He measured fully up to the requirements of his positions, however, and was such a favorite with his employer and had given evidence of such pronounced executive ability that Mr. Wheeler tried to induce him to take entire charge of his immense ranch in southern Texas which he later bought after disposing of his Sac county holdings.
In 1893 Mr. Starner embarked in the furniture and undertaking business in Odebolt and was very successful, the exercise of the same talents which had given him success as a farm superintendent contributing to his business success. He disposed of his furniture and undertaking establishment in September, 1912, and retired from active pursuits, having no other cares at the present time but looking after his property interests, which are considerable. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in North Dakota and has a farm on one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He also own three building lots and residence properties in the city and has recently erected a fine, modern bungalow with every comfort and convenience installed.
Mr. Starner's wedded life began on February 26, 1885, when he espoused in holy wedlock Helen C. Sprague, a daughter of Oliver C. [sic; should be P.], a native of New York and who settled in Sac county in the year 1879. Oliver Sprague owned a farm in Wheeler township and made his home in Odebolt, residing with Mr. Starner until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Starner have one son, Arthur V., now in Los Angeles, California.
Politically, Emett Starner has been allied with the Republican party. By virtue of his birth and the Reformed church being the faith of his forbears, he was brought up in the Reformed faith. He is an attendant and supporter of the Methodist denomination, of which Mrs. Starner is an active member. He is a member of no fraternal societies and considers his home as his club and lodge room for all purposes of recreation.
He of whom this brief resume is recorded is one of Odebolt's substantial and enterprising citizens. He has seen the city grow from its very inception and has kept a record of events and happenings in the town and vicinity since 1876. He is genial, hospitable, well read and an excellent and interesting conversationalist who is well versed on many topics of interest. His collection of antiques, gathered in the course of a lifetime, is very valuable, among them being a magnificent great hall clock which was brought from England in 1795 and is very old, but in fine condition. His library is very extensive and is adapted to a home of culture and refinement such as he and his wife maintain.
Emett Starner, a former resident of
Odebolt, passed away at Los Angeles, Cal. Friday, Feb. 24, 1939, at the age of
87 years, one month and 16 days. He was born Jan. 8, 1852, at Cashtown, Penn.
Mr. Starner conducted a furniture store in Odebolt for
19 years, coming to the town in 1893 from the Wheeler ranch, where he acted as a
foreman for considerable time. He was assisted in the furniture store by William
Graham, who was the town's undertaker.
He was a member of the city council on numerous
occasions, and took a leading part in the civic affairs of Odebolt.
Disposing of the furniture business in 1912, he retired
from active work and went to Los Angeles in 1922, where he and his wife have
since made their home.
Mr. Starner is survived by his wife, one son, Arthur,
of Rosemont, Cal. and a granddaughter.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon, and
burial was made in the Inglewood cemetery.
father of Helen (Sprague) Starner
From the Odebolt (Iowa) Chronicle, Vol I, No. 51, May
10, 1888.
Oliver P. Sprague died at 12:30 on Monday morning at the home of his
son-in-law, Emett Starner, of this place, after an illness of three weeks,
brought about by disordered kidneys. Mr. Sprague was born in
Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, and, at the time of his death
was 64 years, five months and 21 days old. Six brothers and two sisters
survive him, and he leaves four children - Mrs. Emett Starner and
Mrs. Frank E. Rowley of this place, and Frank Sprague and Mrs. Gray
of Governeur (sic) ('Gouverneur'), N.Y. The absent son started for Odebolt
on Monday, and the date of funeral services, which will be conducted by Reverend
Hughes, will depend upon his arrival. The deceased came to Odebolt in the
fall of 1879, and during his residence here earned the respect and esteem of the
community. The family desire to thank their many friends for their kind
offices. Since the above was written Frank Sprague has arrived, and
funeral services will be held at the M.E. church this afternoon at
1:30.