John Leander Starr
Encyclopedia
John Leander Starr was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia
, Canada.
He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia
, the son of John Starr
and Desiah Gore. In 1823, he entered the family business of importing and exporting goods. Also in that year, Starr married Maria Sophia Ratchford. After the death of his father in 1827, he took over the operation of the business. He became magistrate for Halifax and lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. Starr was also involved in the temperance movement
. In 1830, he married Frances Throckmorton after the death of his first wife. In 1831, the family business was dissolved to pay for his father's debts. Starr then entered business as an insurance broker. He was also a director of the Bank of British North America
, president of the Halifax Gas Light and Water Company and a director of the Bay of Fundy Steam Navigation Company. Starr served as aide-de-camp for two Nova Scotia lieutenant governors and was a master in the Masonic
order. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1826 and 1836. In 1840, he was named to the province's Legislative Council
. He was elected to Halifax city council in 1841. Following a downturn in the economy, Starr was forced into bankruptcy. In 1844, he moved to New York City
where he continued as an insurance broker. He died there in 1885.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada.
He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, the son of John Starr
John Starr (politician)
John Starr was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Kings County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1827....
and Desiah Gore. In 1823, he entered the family business of importing and exporting goods. Also in that year, Starr married Maria Sophia Ratchford. After the death of his father in 1827, he took over the operation of the business. He became magistrate for Halifax and lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. Starr was also involved in the temperance movement
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
. In 1830, he married Frances Throckmorton after the death of his first wife. In 1831, the family business was dissolved to pay for his father's debts. Starr then entered business as an insurance broker. He was also a director of the Bank of British North America
Bank of British North America
The Bank of British North America was founded in 1835 in London, England with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax and St. John's, Newfoundland. It also operated agencies in New York City and San Francisco. Like the other Canadian chartered banks, it issued...
, president of the Halifax Gas Light and Water Company and a director of the Bay of Fundy Steam Navigation Company. Starr served as aide-de-camp for two Nova Scotia lieutenant governors and was a master in the Masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
order. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1826 and 1836. In 1840, he was named to the province's Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Nova Scotia
The Legislative Council of Nova Scotia was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It existed from 1838 to May 31, 1928...
. He was elected to Halifax city council in 1841. Following a downturn in the economy, Starr was forced into bankruptcy. In 1844, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he continued as an insurance broker. He died there in 1885.