Mr. Josiah P. Starcher, the subject of the sketch, was born near Arnoldsburg, Calhoun County--then Gilmer County--West Virginia, September 10th, 1830, and died within about six miles of the same place, but on the Roane County side of the county line, at his place of residence there on May 21st. 1915, aged eighty-four years, nine months and eleven days.

He processed always a strong, cheerful and sympathetic disposition that bound him naturally to the good, the true and the beautiful .around him.

He emphasized and adhered throughout his life and loved to repeat the following precepts: "The peace of society depends on justice." "The happiness of individuals on the safe employment of all their possessions." and "Keep the desire of thy heart within the bounds of moderation.." "Let the hand of justice lead them, right." "Cast not the eye on the goods of thy neighbors; let whatsoever in his property be sacred from thy touch." "In dealing with men be impartial and just, and do unto them as thou wouldst they do unto thee." Be faithful to thy trust, and defraud not of his hire the laboring man." "When thou sellest for gain, hear the whisperings of conscience: not from the ignorance of the buyer make advantage to thyself." "Pay the debts thou owest; for He who gave thee credit relied upon thy honor, and to withhold from Him His due is both mean and unjust."

On the 10th day of November, 1853, he was united in marriage with Nancy J. Nichols, a woman true and dependable, a helpmate indeed, who shared in all his joys and sorrows even down to the end and yet survives to honor his name.

To their union were born nine children, four sons and five daughter: Amanda Ellis, J. C. Starcher, Loverna King, Lucy Starcher, Belle Sheba Bissell survive and mourn this loss; Willie, McClellan, and Columbus went on before him into that strange state called death. The life of this good man and wife was one of singular good understanding, mutual confidence, and happiness, and by their labor, prudence, and economy they secured themselves for the comfort of their declining years a farm of five hundred acres on the waters of Henry's Fork and Beech, extending partly in Calhoun and partly in Roane counties. They came to this county about 1866; they were pioneers of those parts; here for forty-nine years they lived and loved and worked, ever ready with a strong hand and an good judgment to help others, and here watched great forests disappear and give place to green hills, fruitful orchards, waiving grain fields and the pioneer log cabin replaced by the many large frame commodious farm-houses every where; they were leaders in industry and betterment, practiced what they preached and their homestead with it comfortable surroundings announced that here was comfort, a place for the livelihood, or rest for the weary, to which the invitation, "Come" was implied; and greatest happiness was found therein when it sheltered most sons and daughters and neighbors. But age, grew apace, life gave way--came death. His sickness was endured as he had met life, patiently, philosophically, wisely, for he kept his strong intellect to the very last. He expressed to the writer of this a few days before his death, his faith in God, among other things, saying, "I am waiting for the summons."

The remains were followed to its resting place by many friends and relatives and his sorrowing children and was laid to rest in the cemetery near Wayne Schoolhouse in which the funeral service were conducted by the writer.

May we all so live that our lives may show some brother the way.

Wellington Lester

(Submitted by Donna J. Walbrown)