Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
STARKWEATHER, George A. - Cooperstown
George A. STARKWEATHER is a native of the State of
Connecticut; was born on May 19, 1794. He worked on his
father's farm until the fall of 1813, and his health having failed he
went with a friend to Orange county, State of New York, with a
view to spend the winter and recuperate. It resulted in his taking a
common school, which he taught for two years, in the town of
Wolkill, working in the summer season on a farm, before and after
school hours. He returned to Connecticut in the fall of 1815, taking
with him as the fruits of his labor about $600. He then commenced
preparing for college, and in the fall of 1817 entered Union college,
joining the sophomore class. He remained in college until the fall
of 1819, when he came to Cooperstown and commenced his
professional studies with his brother, Samuel Starkweather. He was
elected by the faculty at Union one of the first six of his class as a
Phi Beta Kapa, and had the third appointment in his class, but, his
funds being exhausted, did not return to fulfill his appointment. In
the fall of 1820, Mr. Starkweather went to Ithaca, taught a select
school for six months, pursuing his studies in the mean time with
Mr. Woodcock. He returned to Cooperstown in the spring, and
paid up his little bills; was admitted as attorney of the supreme court
in January, 1823, as counsel in 1826, and solicitor's counsel in
chancery in 1831. In September, 1842, admitted as counsel in the
district court of the United States for the northern district of New
York, and in 1854 was admitted as attorney and counsel of the
supreme court of the United States. Mr. Starkweather formed a
partnership with his brother Samuel, and practiced his profession
in the county of Otsego thrity-three years, having purchased his
brother's interest in the business in 1831.
In 1856, he joined his eldest son, John C. Starkweather, in
business in the city of Milwaukee, where he practiced his profession
for two years, having sold Apple Hill to Edward CLARK, the
present owner. Mr. Starkweather took a very active part in politics.
He was challenger at the polls for ten years when the election was
held three days, and never missed a day; was twenty years chairman
of the Democratic corresponding committee of Otsego county, and
wrote most of the addresses and resolutions; was frequently a
delegate to county, senatorial, and State conventions; was delegated
to the national convention at the time Mr. Van Buren was nominated,
and was secretary of the convention. The first office he held was
commissioner of deeds, elected by the board of supervisors. In 1833
was appointed surrogate of the county of Otsego, and afterwards
elected without opposition, and held the office for eight years. He
was elected supervisor of the town of Otsego in his absence, and
held the office for four years, and was chairman of the board; was
appointed one of the examiners of school-teachers for the town of
Otsego, and took a deep interest in the common-school systems, and
visited the schools of the town without compensation. Elected to
congress in 1846, Otsego and Schoharie forming the congressional
district. Made a speech opposing the extension of slavery, which
was favorably commented upon by the New York Tribune, Herald,
and several other papers. Was commissioned adjutant, major,
lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the 12th Regiment of Artillery of
the State of New York, and was honorably discharged in the fall
of 1829. In 1850 was appointed a member of the American legal
association. In 1834 became a life member of the colonization
society, and in 1847, a life member of the Otsego Bible association.
Was one of the vestry of Christ Church, Cooperstown, for twenty-
seven years. When a resident of Milwaukee, he donated one
hundred and sixteen volumes of his congressional books to the
Young Men's association of that city, and was made an honorary
life member of the association. Mr. Starkweather had four sons in
the army during the late Rebellion, all volunteers. The oldest, John
C. Starkweather, was commissioned colonel, and was in the three-
months' service, and afterwards raised the Second regiment, and
remained in the service until the close of the war, having been
promoted to brigadier-general; was in six battles, the last at
Chattanooga, and was twice wounded. At the time Mr. Starkweather
commenced practice, and for many years after, Elisha Williams,
of Hudson, Nicholas Hill, Sam Stevens, and other leading members
of the bar of Albany, Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, Joshua Spencer,
of Utica, Count Vanderlen, James Clapp, and other members of the
Chenango bar, and members of the bar from Delaware county, were
in the habit of attending the Otsego circuits, which were then held by
the judges of the supreme court. The Otsego bar was then in its
palmy days, and was considered the ablest bar in the State west of
the Hudson. The actors of those days have passed away. The old
familiar faces are all gone, and Mr. Starkweather in the only one
remaining.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 31