Biography - Axil Starkes
AXIL N. STARKES, a prominent citizen of Metropolis City, Massac County, of the firm of A. N. Starkes & Co., proprietors of the Massac Journal-Republican, was born in Grantsburg Precinct, Johnson County, January 7, 1865. His father, Reuben P. Starkes, was born in Calloway County, Ky., and his father, Josiah Starkes, was, so far as is known, born in the same county. The great-grandfather of our subject was born either in Germany or in America, of German parents. He was a preacher in the Christian Church, and spent his last days in Calloway County, Ky. The grandfather of Axil N. was a farmer and spent his entire life in Kentucky, except that short portion of it spent in the Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry during the late war, in which he died. He married Perlina Pace, and they were members of the Christian Church. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but in the later years of his life was a Republican.
Reuben P. Starkes was reared in Kentucky on the farm, and followed farming until the year 1862, when he enlisted in the Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was discharged with his regiment in 1864, and then located in Johnson County, living there until 1869, when he removed to Massac County, engaged in farming, operated a sawmill, and a portion of his time worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1880 he removed to Metropolis, where he has since followed his trade. He married Sophronia Mozley, who was born in Johnson County, and is the daughter of Thornton T. and Adeline E. (Carlton) Mozley, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They reared two children, Axil N. and J. Lewis. Axil N. attended school in his youth about five months each year, and the rest of the time he worked upon the farm until he was fifteen years old. He then entered Metropolis High School, and was graduated with the Class of '84. He was then engaged in the sale of books one year, taught school one term in Pulaski County, and in the year 1886 commenced the study of law. He remained thus engaged in the office of Courtney & Helm one year, and in June, 1887, he bought a one-half interest in the lease for one year of the Massac Journal. January 1, 1888, in company with W. H. Hines, he bought the Journal, and was associated with Mr. Hines until May, 1892, at which time he bought the interest of Mr. Hines, and on August 8 of the same year the office of the Journal and that of the Republican were consolidated under the name of the Massac Journal-Republican, P. H. Norris becoming his partner. Mr. Starkes is the editor of the paper, and Mr. Norris business manager.
Our subject was married September 11, 1887, to Jennie L. Stone, who was born in Metropolis, and is the daughter of T. S. and Luella (Culley) Stone. By this marriage Mr. Starkes has one child, Carlton C. With his wife he is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican in politics. In August, 1890, he was appointed Clerk in the Census Department at Washington, which position he resigned December 1 following, to accept a position in the Pension Department, where he remained until June 3, 1892. He then resigned this position and has since devoted his entire time to journalism. He is a member of Phil Kearney Camp, Sons of Veterans, Washington, D. C., and of Massac Lodge No. 442, I. O. O. F. The father of Mr. Starkes is a Republican, and a member of Tom Smith Post No. 345, G. A. R.
Extracted 16 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 456-457.
