Posted on: Jackson County, WV Bios Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/WV/JacksonBios/218 Surname: STARCHER, PARSONS, STAATS, LYONS, EVANS, WILLIAMSON, PARK, WOODRUFF, ABLES ------------------------- This sketch taken from "Pioneers of Jackson County", by John House, it appears in the section "Lower Mill Creek". Starcher Family Perhaps the name most identified with the history of the town of Ripley, is that of Starcher. The founder of the family was Jacob Starcher. Where he came from, or when he came to Mill Creek is not recorded. One year older than Captain Parsons, he came to the mouth of Sycamore as his successor in the prime of manhood, about 1812. He probably came to Mill Creek about the time Abram Staats did, whose daughter he married, and from the same place. If this be the case, it is not recorded. Jacob Starcher married Anna Staats. They both lived to the same age, and now lie under the beautiful shade of the beech trees in the Ripley graveyard. He was born in 1768, and died in 1838, at the age of seventy years. She was born January 3rd, 1777, and died on July 8th, 1847, aged seventy years. The names of four of their children are recorded on the stone leaves of the cemetery: Jacob, born in 1795, the oldest. John C, born in 1796. Abraham, born in 1800. William, born in 1810. There are probably other children, whose names I did not learn. Of those mentioned: John C. Starcher, married Charity Lyons. Names of any children not learned. Abraham Starcher married Margaret Evans, and lived "down next to the river" as my informant expressed it. He died in 1871, at the age of seventy one. His wife died in 1852, at the age of fifty four. Their children were: Daniel Starcher, who died in 1846, unmarried. Mark Starcher, married Mary Williamson. Both are buried in the Ripley cemetery, along with his father and mother. His grave is decorated with a flag, for his gave his life for the Union. He died from the effects of wounds, after lingering ill two years after his return. He was forty five when he died. His wife survived him twenty there years, but now lies buried by his side. Joe Starcher, unlike his brother Mark, was a soldier in the Confederate Army, and was killed in service. (Thus did this tear families apart.) Sally married Jim Park. In this family there were also other children whose names I did not learn. Jacob Starcher, son of Jacob, Jr., married Rachel Woodruff. William Starcher was the youngest of the four sons of Jacob Starcher, Sr. he married Sarah (Sally) Evans, a sister of Abraham's wife. He lived across the creek, near the depot. He died in 1872. His wife died in 1883, at the age of eighty years, and lies also in the Ripley Cemetery, under the beeches. Edward, a son of William Starcher, married Emily Ables, of the Sycamore family. Probably a daughter of Alex Ables. Rosa, a daughter of William Starcher, married E D W King, a circuit rider of the Methodist itinerary. Robert E Starcher, son of William, was born near Ripley, in 1827. He filled during his life may positions of honor and trust. He served as sheriff, deputy sheriff, township supervisor, and for many years was Justice of the Peace. The Starchers who comprised the mercantile firm of Starcher Brothers, of Ripley, were grandsons of William Starcher.