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HON. ALEXANDER STARNE, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1813. His parents were Maurice and Mary Stone (book shows name this way). Alexander attended school until he was sixteen years old, then entered the drug store of T. W. Dyott, as clerk, where he remained until 1836. Leaving Philadelphia, he arrived at Alton, Illinois, on the first day of May of that year. He continued his journey to Griggsville, Pike county, where he commenced as a general merchant. September 23, 1840, he was married to Miss Rebecca Hatch, by whom he had one daughter, Lucy Ann. Mrs. Starne died March 1, 1846, loved and respected by a large circle of friends. In 1847, Mr. Starne was married to his present wife, Mrs. Elvira S. Swetland, and by this marriage there are three sons and one daughter. In 1839, Mr. S. was elected Commissioner of Pike county and served three years. In 1842, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served until 1845. In the meantime he had sold out his stock of merchandise and removed to Pittsfield, Pike county, here he was appointed by Judge Purple, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and when subsequently this office was made elective, he was elected for four years. In 1852, having been elected Secretary of the State, he removed to Springfield, and at the close of his term, in 1856, he was chosen President of the Hannibal and Naples Railway, and again removed to Griggsville for the purpose of giving personal supervision. This road is now an important link to the Wabash and Western Railway, and was completed under the successors of Mr. Starne in 1864. In 1861, from the district composed of Pike and Brown counties, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1862, was elected State Treasurer. He again removed his family to Springfield, where he has since continued to reside. In 1872, he was chosen Senator from the county of Sangamon.