George Anson Starkweather was the first non Native American born in what is now known as the city of Plymouth, Michigan (in Wayne County). He is not to be confused with his Uncle, also named George A. Starkweather, of New York State, or several other distant cousins also named George Anson Starkweather. George was a first cousin to John Converse Starkweather and a GGGG Grandson of Robert Starkweather who came from the British Isles in 1641 and settled which was at that time cornhill section of Boston. After a brief stay in New York State where he studied law, he came home to Plymouth and went on to become a local merchant, schoolteacher, lawyer, farmer, greenhouse owner, banker, Plymouth Village President, Plymouth Township Supervisor, philanthropist, and served one term in the Michigan Legislature in the 1850s representing Plymouth. George was a leading community member who helped to bring a railroad route to Plymouth (much to the chagrin of present day residents of Plymouth), through what is now known as "Old Village" or "Lower Town". Later in life George Anson Starkweather donated the land on which the old downtown plymouth high school is now situated - land which was once part of the family farm. He was a firm believer in education.
References
- Starkweather, Carlton Lee, M.D. Robert Starkweather and his Descendants, Knapp, Peck and Thomson, 1904.
