CHARLES STARKER

Charles Starker, President of the Iowa State Savings Bank of Burlington. Among the solid business men of this county, no one deserves notice in this work more than the subject of this sketch, who is numbered among the early settlers of 1850, and who has not only witnessed the remarkable growth of the town and country, but has contributed to it's development as much as any other man within it's borders.Charles Starker was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 11th day of March 1826. There he grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education. He made a study of architecture, in which he became proficient, and, after coming to Burlington, he drafted many of the beautiful buildings in that city. In 1848 Mr. Starker left his native country and came to America, locating for a short time at Buffalo, N.Y. Thence he went to Chicago, where he embarked in the mercantile business; but subsequently, in 1850 he settled permanently in Burlington, engaging in the retail and wholesale grocery business, which he continued twent five years with success, accumulating a large property. On the 10th day of February 1852 Mr. Starker was united in marriage with Miss Mary Runge, who was born near St. Charles, MO., February 1, 1836. Two living children bless this union: Arthur, a prominent grain dealer; and Clara, wife of Carl Leopold, a furniture manufacturer of Burlington. No man has been more closely connected with the business interests of the city than Mr. Starker, as the following will show. Since 1860 he has been identified with its banking interests, and has also held many prominent places in city affairs. He is President of the Iowa Savings Bank; Director of the National State Bank, with which he has been connected since its organization; President of Aspen Grove Cemetery;, and has been one of its directors for twenty five years; Treasurer and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Opera House, and to him is due the credit for so a elegant structure; Treasurer of the I.O.O.F Building, Treasurer of the Independant School District, and Director of the Agricultural Society. He laid off the public square, and also planned and laid off the beautiful cemetery of Aspen Grove. As remarked in the beginning of this sketch, no man in Des Moines County is more worthy of record in this volume than Charles Starker. He is a man of superior judgement, a close observer, and a gentleman in every respect. In the building up of city and county he has contributed liberally of his means, and deserves that which he has-the good opinion and respect of every citizen of the county who knows him. Mr. Starker has a beautiful residence on Prospect Hill, from where he has a view of the "Father of the Waters" for nearly fifty miles. His extensive grounds are laid off artistically with fountains, hot house, and everything that ensures comfort; and surrounded with all things that make life enjoyable, he is reaping the legitimate fruits of a life of  industry, enterprise and integrity.

Transcribed by: Stacy Bliesener

Closely known relatives of the Starker family are: Bliesener's of Burlington and Gabeline's of Des Moines County. As of 2014