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JAMES
HARPER STARR
by Archie P. McDonald |
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James
Harper Starr cannot be regarded a "typical" immigrant to Texas during the days
of the Republic, for those were the days when "GTT" explained hasty departures
from the states and beginnings with new identities.
Starr had no such
baggage. He was born in Connecticut in 1809 to an established family, who then
moved to Ohio shortly after his birth. Starr attended an academy in Worthington,
Ohio, and by 1830 had become a physician through self-education and observation.
He established a medical practice in McDonough, Georgia, and later one in Pleasant
Grove, then moved to Nacogdoches,
Texas, in 1837.
Within the year President Sam Houston appointed Starr
a member of the Board of Land Commissioners for Nacogdoches County. The board
supervised public domain under the authority of the General Land Office, and,
among other things, awarded land to veterans at the completion of their service.
When Mirabeau B. Lamar succeeded Houston as president of the Republic of Texas,
he appointed Starr secretary of the treasury in his administration. Starr held
the post for a year, then resigned to serve as administrator of the estate of
his brother-in-law, Frost Thorn, who is credited with becoming the first "Texas
millionaire."
Starr spent the next several years involved in various aspects
of land and real estate. He served on the board of trustees for Nacogdoches College,
also known as University, and in other civic capacities.
Starr supported
annexation to the Union in 1845 but not secession from it fifteen years later,
but his sons and son-in-law, Henry Raguet, entered Confederate military service
when the Civil War began. He did accept a civil appointment as a receiver for
the Confederate government and later as a Confederate postal agent.
After
the collapse of the Confederacy Starr formed a partnership with his son, James
Franklin Starr, in a land speculation and banking enterprise in Marshall,
Texas. Starr eventually moved his entire family to Marshall, where he continued
in business until his retirement in 1873. He died in 1890.
Starr County
was named in honor of James Harper Starr. About all that remains to remind the
citizens of Nacogdoches of this financial pioneer is Starr Avenue, one of the
thoroughfares that borders Stephen F. Austin State University.
All
Things Historical
Nov.
30-Dec. 6, 2003 column
A syndicated column in over 40 East Texas newspapers
This column is provided as a public service by the East Texas Historical
Association. Archie P. McDonald is director of the Association and author of more
than 20 books on Texas. | | |
