California Biographies
Starke, D. Frederick

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Starke, D. Frederick. A native of Germany, was born March 8, 1819. Here he
received his education, and worked in various manufacturing establishments until
1845, when he emigrated to California, coming via Sandwich Islands, arriving in
San Francisco August 26th, same year. Mr. Starke came from the old country in a
whaling ship, and while it was anchored at Saucelito, he deserted the ship, and
crossing through Marin county, he and his three comrades arrived, after three
days' fasting, at General M. G. Vallejo's. The officers of the ship followed in
close pursuit, and Mr. Starke and his friends were compelled to flee to the
mountains. They were employed by S. and B. Kelsey, in constructing a
flouring-mill, on the Sonoma creek. Here they remained about five weeks, until
the ship sailed, when they returned. Mr. Starke then went into the redwoods,
where he worked two months; he then proceeded to Healdsburg, and worked on
Captain Fitch's ranch six months. After spending a few months on Mark West
creek, and a short time at Fort Ross, he returned to Sonoma, rented three
hundred acres of land and followed farming. In the Spring of 1848 he went to the
mines, where he engaged in mining and merchandising for about six months; he
then returned to this county, and worked on a steam saw-mill which was then
being built in Bodega township, near where Freestone now stands. Here Mr. Starke
speculated in lumber and lost all the money he had made in the mines. He then
engaged in farming near Bodega one year, after which he settled on his present
place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located about three miles from
Petaluma, where he has since resided. He married, June 10, 1858, Miss Mina
Hastler; she was born in Germany, January 23, 1822. Mr. Starke also owns
twenty-three acres in Petaluma, where he intends making a city garden.

Source: HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, Alley, Bowen & Co. 1880