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)

Rev. R .P. Crumpler officiated Tuesday afternoon at the funeral services of the late Mrs. Luvernia Phillips, who died July 1 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Buck, in Spencer. Death resulted from the infirmities of age, Mrs. Phillips being 80 years old at the time of her demise. She was the widow of Marion Phillips, who preceded her 25 years ago. She is survived by four sons, John Phillips, city, Ernest Phillips, of Pulaski, Va., Artie Phillips, of Flint, Mich., Ira Phillips, and two daughters, Mrs. Buck and Mrs. Ella McCauley, of Reedy, Route 1. H. D. Wells & Son were the funeral directors.

(Luverna Carpenter Phillips passed away July 1, 1929)
(Submitted by Donna J. Walbrown)

Mrs. Esther Ann Dobbs Starcher, widow of the late Jesse Starcher, was born Nov. 7, 1849, in Marshall county. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F .R. Chambers, Charleston. she was 85 years three months and nine days old at the time of her death.

She was reared by her aunt, Mrs. Jordan McMillan, of Roane county.

She was married in the year 1870 to Jesse Starcher, who preceded her in death on March 12, 1933.

This brief sketch is the record of a life of loving, devoted, self-sacrificing service, seldom equaled. It is not within our power to adequately portray the life and character of a woman who possessed the characteristics of Heaven and endeavored to do her duty.

The high ideal which she exemplified is Heaven's own. The reward that awaits her in the better world is the measure of her value. She believed life, whether in this world or another, is the sum of our attainments, and its course through fatherhood, motherhood, friendship, and legitimate relation of whatever kind. The flowers we seek to lay in grateful tribute upon her broken altar of home and friendship are sad reminders of the beauties that are no more, songs whose cadences are hushed, and loves from life disjoined.

While it is not mete that deep thinking man should express grief for the dead in silence, yet no words can ever speak the grief we feel. It has been said that God keeps a place in Heaven for our idols, for those who serve to bless His creatures in the earth. Measured by these sentiments, Esther Ann Starcher had gone to receive her promotion in the appointed place in God's everlasting temple of love.

She was a devoted wife and mother, and made her home radiant with joy. She never lost an opportunity to impress upon those about her the importance that all lasting happiness must be founded strictly upon religious principles. No person ever came to her in sorrow that she did not give comfort; no suffering was known to her, that she did not minister consolation and help. She did not wait to be informed of distress but as an Angle of Mercy she sought where she might find someone to cheer.

There are homes darkened by sorrow and distress that shall miss her and wonder if God will send another so thoughtful and true. Such a life, gemmed with the fruits of charitable deeds and loveliness of character, make up the record in the realms forever blest. She sang life, a song sweetly and endeavored to perform its duties, hoping in some way to enrich the world with a sense of love and to attune human souls to celestial harmonies. Her mission was to do good wherever she is, Heaven is. Sister Starcher's faith and devotion to her Savior led her to unite with the Baptist church in Parkersburg. In the folds of this church she remained a level and faithful member until her labor ended and God in His wisdom called her home to the Church of Triumphant.

She is survived by the following. One son, M. P. Starcher of Otto, one daughter, Mrs. F.R. Chambers of Charleston: grandchildren: F. R. Starcher, Mullins; Carl, John, Fred, and Billy Starcher, Otto; W. K. and and Edgar Chambers, Charleston; Mrs. C. C. Graybill, Mrs. F. A. Snyder and Mrs. Rae Gilmer, Charleston; Mrs. W. P. Suttle, Looneyville; Miss Esther and Claire Starcher, Parkersburg; Mrs. Boyd Wallbrown, Akron; Bernice and Azaline Starcher, Otto. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Burial services were conducted by the Rev. Herbert Spencer on Thursday, February 28 after which the body was laid to rest in the Otto cemetery, there to await the resurrection of the just.

Written by a friend, E. H. Bissell

(Esther Starcher passed away February 1935)
(Submitted by Evelyn Starcher)

In Memoriam

Otto McMillan, son of Jordan R. McMillan and Bathsheba Knox McMillan. Born February 27th, 1808, died July 1st, 1904. Thus much will be often read from the marble that loving hand will soon erect to mark the spot in the little cemetery at Reedy where rest only the dust of the subject of this sketch, for these bodies of ours are but tabernacles for the indwelling of the holy spirits, "And if this earthly house of our tabernacle were dissolved we have a building, not made with hands, but eternal in the heaven; and in this faith our brother died."

Otto McMillan, life was one of singularly sincere and modest virtue, continually growing stronger and more beneficial to his country, his home, loves, and kindred down to the day of his last to the living. He was a member of the Reedy M.E. Church with which he placed his membership about the year 1890, his business, and residence being then at that place; where he also found her, the worthy companion of his life, Clara Roberts, with whom he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock, November 18th, 1802, three children came to bless these loving hearts, of whom two yet survive, Ulva and Earnest and are with the sorrowing mama, in lineaments and feature, bearing much to remind of him who is laid to rest; we regret we have not the third child but it is with its papa, having gone on before to make, if such could be, heaven only sweeter.

To this bereaved widow and these fatherless, we are bound in bonds of sympathy that bid us speak out just appreciation of the life and memory of this upright Christian Gentleman.

His once teacher, H.E.B.

(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)

Wealthy West Virginian
Father of Mrs. Vandevener of This City Dies at Washington, D.C.

Saturday's State Journal: The remains of Jordan McMillan, Esq., who formerly lived in Roane county, but who had resided for the last several years near Washington, D.C., arrived here at 8 a.m. today from the latter place. They were removed to the residence of C. E. Vandevener on Gould avenue, where they remained till morning when they were taken at 10:20 o'clock to Ravenswood. From there they will be taken to Spencer, and thence twelve miles south of Spencer to the deceased's old home, where funeral services, will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, the internment being in the family cemetery.

The remains of Mr. McMillan were accompanied here from Washington by his wife and three of his sons, Orville, William, and Walter. Mrs. C. E. Vandevener, who is a daughter of the deceased and her own daughter Miss Bertie accompanied the funeral party from here.

Mr. McMillan died in a hospital in Washington, where he had been receiving treatments. He is survived by a wife, four daughters and five sons. He was one of the most prominent and w*ealthy citizens of Roane county, where he resided until recently, when he went to Washington.

(Jordan McMillan passed away August 25, 1898)
(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)