Families (Starkey, Cyrus G 1835)


Cyrus G. Starkey was the son of Richard Starkey and Lydia Claus/Clouse.  Cyrus’ father, Richard Starkey was born in 1812 in Turbitt Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.  Cyrus’ mother, Lydia Claus/Clouse was born in 1811\1812 in Pennsylvania.  Cyrus was born in 1835 in the state of Ohio.  We have seen other spellings for Cyrus.  His daughter Sarah, spelled it, Cyrus.

Cyrus G. Starkey married Sarah Benson Mason on May 5, 1861 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Sarah was always called Sally.  Sarah was born in 1844 in Boone, Greene County, in the state of Missouri.

Even before the Civil War broke out,  almost everyone knew that war was possible. When it happened, the word spread fast.  It was important to protect local communities. At that time, June 11, 1861, Brigadier General  Nathaniel Lyon was given the authority by the War Department to organize the Home Guard.  Many of those men then joined other forces to fight.  Cyrus always fought for the Union.  He was in battles in South West Missouri and North West Arkansas.  Two of those that we know of, were the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and the Battle of Pea Ridge.  Later, for his service, to the cause he was awarded land in Kansas.

Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason had eight children.  The first of those was Mary Lois Starkey.  She was born in 1862 in Greene County, Missouri.  We don’t know the details of any marriage.  We have no records of when or where she died.

Amanda Angeline Starkey was the second child born to Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason.  Amanda was called Mandie.  Amanda was born in 1865 in Greene County, Missouri.  We have no record of  her marriage, death or burial.

The third child born to Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason was Josiah Richard Starkey.  He was named for both of  his grandfather, Josiah Mason and Richard Starkey. Josiah was called Joe.  He was born in1867 in Greene County, Missouri.  Josiah was married, but we have no further details.  He died in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  He was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  After the birth of Josiah, Cyrus and Sarah moved their family to Iowa in 1868.

Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason’s fourth child was Edward Oliver Starkey. He was called Eddie as a nickname.  Eddie was born in 1869 in Iowa.  He died as an infant in 1870 in Iowa.  Eddie was buried in Iowa.

Sarah Sabrina Starkey was the fifth child of Cyrus G. Starkey and  Sarah Benson Mason. When Sarah was young her nickname was Sally.  She was born in Iowa on January 2, 1871.  At the age of fifteen, she married Orville Joseph Knapp on August 21, 1886.  They married in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Sarah was a seamstress by trade. She could do many different kind of  handwork.  Sarah’s favorite thing to do was make quilts, and she made beautiful quilts.  She died on November 15, 1955 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Sarah was buried at Hazelwood Cemetery, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Because of  the new Homestead Act in 1870, Cyrus was able to receive land in Kansas.  He moved his family to Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.

The sixth child born to Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason was Emma Finela Starkey.  Emma was known as Emmie as a child.  She was born in 1874 in Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.  Emma married Manny King in Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.  We don’t know when they were married.  Emma died in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  She is buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.

Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason’s seventh child was Olive Clementine Starkey.  Her friends called her Clementine or Clem.  Her family called her Sunshine.

Cementine was born in1877 in Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.  She did get married in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  We don’t have a record of who she married. Clementine died in 1928 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  She was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  Everyone liked Clementine.  She was a peace maker in her family and with others.

Cyrus Arvilla Starkey was the eighth child born to Cyrus G. Starkey and Sarah Benson Mason.  She came into the world after the death of her father.  She was names for him.  Cyrus was born in 1880, in Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.  We have no history of a marriage for her.  Cyrus died in 1902, at the age of twenty one, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  She is buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.

Cyrus G. Starkey died on June 27, 1879 in Severy Greenwood County, Kansas.  He was reaching out of an upstairs window telling the farm hands to get the cows into the barn, and out of the coming storm.  Cyrus was struck by lightening and died.  He was buried in Severy, Greenwood County, Kansas.

After Cyrus G. Starkey died, his wife Sarah Benson Mason couldn’t keep up the farm. She moved back with her children to her family in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.