"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. p. 974. ASBURY PEARNE STARR With the exception of three years spent in Salem educating his son, Asbury P. Starr has lived all his life on the farm one mile southwest of Bellfountain, where he was born April 22, 1853. He comes of one of the fine old pioneer families of this section, and in his youth had the advantage of a Christian home, presided over by a father whose life was devoted to the welfare of those around him, and who, as pioneer preacher in this county, accomplished a world of good for the early settlers. As one in a numerous family dependent upon the poorly paid services of the father, Asbury P., was reared to habits of thrift and industry, and remained under the paternal roof until his marriage, December 22, 1878, with Carrie Tharp, who was born in Kansas and came to Oregon in 1864. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Starr, Philip Ray, who is living with his parents. After his marriage Mr. Starr located on his part of the home ranch, which consists of three hundred and forty-four acres, fifty of which are under cultivation. The finest of modern improvements facilitate a general farming and stock-raising industry, a specialty being made of high-grade stock, including Jersey cattle, Cotswold sheep and fine horses. The farm is one of the most desirable and valuable in Benton county, and the methods employed in conducting it are those of the intelligent, well informed, and scientific student of ways and means, who surrounds himself with the comforts and luxuries, which mark the difference between the successful and the unsuccessful landsman. As an upholder of Republicanism, Mr. Starr has filled many local positions in the county, but always reluctantly, as he has never sought or worked for official distinction. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. John W. Starr, father of Asbury P., was born in Maryland, April 22, 1794, and as a boy moved with his parents to Virginia, and in after years to Ohio, where the old people died. The son remained on the home farm in Ohio until attaining his majority, and then studied for the ministry, to which he devoted his entire active life. His first wife, a Mrs. McWilliams, bore him five children, of whom Mrs. Nancy Belknap of California, and J. W. Starr of Junction City, Ore., are living. Mrs. Starr lived but a few years, and after her death in Ohio her husband married Eliza A. Lucas, with whom he removed to Iowa in 1840, and who bore him twelve children, of whom the following are, living: Mrs. Precious Shedd of Corvallis; S. E. of The Dalles; M. L. of Bellfountain; L. H. of Albany; Mrs. E. A. Burlingame of Sheridan; S. C.; A. P. of Bellfountain; and Mrs. M. E. Tharp of Bellfountain. In 1848 Rev. Starr disposed of his interests in Iowa and crossed the plains with his wife and children, outfitting with ox-teams, and being me usual time, six months, on the way. The little party was not seriously disturbed by the Indians, and Capt. J. Belknap was their competent guide to the far-off northwestern country. The journey was saddened by the death of one of the children, but otherwise all went well, and upon arriving at his destination Mr. Starr took up the donation claim near Bellfountain, upon a portion of which his son is now living, and which consisted of six hundred and forty acres of land. Rev. Starr is entitled to more than passing mention among the early settlers of Benton county, for his influence was a broad and humanitarian one, and was not only exerted in favor of agriculture and stock-raising, but extended to educational and moral development. He was known as "Uncle John," and his home was always open to whomsoever might come that way, no matter what his need or mission. He was the first local preacher in Benton county, or indeed anywhere around this section, and he was never too weary to go on a long journey, to perform marriage ceremonies, to bury the dead, or comfort me living. Strong, sincere and fearless, he was an inspiration in the early and lawless days, and many a discouraged pioneer has been turned towards more hopeful things by the force of his eloquence, and the honesty of his convictions. He was one of the promoters and builders of Simpson's chapel, the first place of worship in this vicinity. Rev. Starr lived to be seventy-four years old, and the wife who had shared his lifework for so many years, and who had so faithfully reared her large family of children to be noble and helpful men and women, survived him until eighty-three years old. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.