Boswell, H. James.  American Blue Book Western Washington, Seattle, Lowman and  
Hanford Co., 1922.  p. 206.

MATT STARWICH: KING COUNTY, Washington, is particularly fortunate in having 
the class of men it has at the head of its government.  I believe I can safely 
say that in no county where I have been, is a more capable set of officials to 
be found.  As an illustration of what I mean, we will take the office of 
Sheriff.  Matt Starwich's record surpasses all others in that office.  This is 
a rather broad assertion for an author to make, but I believe the official 
statistics, all of which are a matter of public record, will bear me out in 
this statement.  Mr. Starwich is a native of Austria, where he was born in 
1876, and came to the United States in 1894.  He is one of the best educated 
men in Seattle, and speaks five languages fluently.  He began to make his way 
in life on a daily wage of seventy-five cents and has risen as a result of his 
own efforts.  From 1902 to 1906 he served as road supervisor.  At the same 
time he was special deputy sheriff.  For more than 20 years he has been a 
peace officer, serving under Cudihee, Smith, Hodge, and Stringer, and I do not 
believe there is a man in the entire county who can defeat him for the 
position he holds.  Under him there are seventy deputies, all thoroughly 
trained men.  He is the first sheriff to ever publish a full and complete 
statistical report, and he is conducting his office on a sum less than was 
allowed by the budget.  As chief deputy he has Archie Hutcheson, one of the 
most reliable men on his staff and a man with years of practical experience.  
In 1900 Mr. Starwich married Hannah Bradshaw, and they have two children, a 
boy and a girl.  He is a member of the Elks, Eagles, Moose, Knights of 
Columbus, Italian Commercial club, Chamber of Commerce, and young Men's 
Republican club.  he is a member of the legislative committee of the Stat 
Sheriffs' Association and a member of the International Sheriffs' Association.

Submitted by: Judy Bivens

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.