Samuel J. Starr, Jr. One of the best known and most highly respected families of the Cherokee Nation is that which bears the name of Starr, whose members have for many years been the incumbents of prominent positions as professional and business men, financiers, public servants and leaders in civic life. A worthy representative of the name is found in the person of Samuel J. Starr, Jr., who is now serving his second term in the capacity of county clerk of Adair County. On the maternal side Mr. Starr is also a member of a prominent family, belonging to the Adairs for whom Adair County was named. He was born on a farm in Flint District, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, and in what is now Adair County, February 20, 1882, and is a son of Caleb E. and Madarene (Adair) Starr, and a grandson of George Starr.

Samuel J. Starr attended the public schools of Adair County and in 1904 was graduated from the Cherokee Male Seminary, at Tahlequah. Thus prepared he entered upon a career as a schoolteacher and followed that profession with gratifying success until his retirement to enter upon the discharge of his duties as county clerk of Adair County, an office to which he was first elected in 1912 for a term of two years. In 1914 he was re elected to this office, in which he is capably serving his second term. Mr. Starr is a stanch democrat in politics. He is fraternally a Master Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His good and public-spirited citizenship has found expression in the support of progressive and beneficial movements, while in the discharge of his official duties he has won friends by his unfailing courtesy.

Mr. Starr was married in 1910, at Stilwell, to Miss Nellie Whitmire, a member of the Cherokee race, born in Adair County. They have three children: Jewell, Wynema and an unnamed infant. Mr. and Mrs. Starr are members of the Baptist Church. The family home is at Stilwell.