Phillip McWilliams Starr
Nov. 7, 1900; Oregonian, p 9  (portrait)
"Death of an Oregon Pioneer of 1852"
Brownsville, Or., Nov. 6

   Phillip McWilliams Starr, who died here October 31, emigrated to Oregon in 1852.  He was a native of Ohio, born in 1825.  He joined the rush of '49 to the California gold fields, but tired of Western life in two years, and returned to his old home in Iowa.  He had contracted the adventurer's fever, however and the next year, with an ox team, set out for the Webfoot state.  He settled in Benton County, locating what is known as the Starr donation claim, 17 miles southeast of Corvallis.  Later, he pucharsed a farm near Halsey, Linn County.  His residence in Oregon had been continuous since 1852, and his place of residence was in one of these two counties.

   Five years after coming to Oregon Mr. Starr joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and engaged in his chosen profession almost continuously, up to the time of his death.  He was familiarly known as the pioneer preacher of this section.

   Three sons and one daughter survive him, Dr. I. W., P. W. and E. D. Starr, of Brownsville, and Mrs. Marie Leeper, of Halsey.  His wife died August 4, 1900.