Star Date: 06.01.2025
We all come from stories—some are etched in stone, others hidden in the folds of time, waiting for someone to pick them up and carry them forward.
One such story in my family belongs to Captain James Starkey, a man whose legacy has quietly shaped both the history of Minnesota and, indirectly, my own life. During the Civil War era, Starkey served as the commander of the St. Paul Light Cavalry, a unit formed to protect settlers on the frontier and support Union efforts. He wore the uniform of a soldier but bore the complex burdens that came with leadership in turbulent times.
Family stories tell of a court martial—that he was found guilty of creating a false muster and recruiting underage boys. But rather than being cast aside, Starkey’s life took an unexpected turn. President Abraham Lincoln, a man revered for his deep capacity for mercy, is said to have intervened, allowing Starkey a second chance to serve—not on the battlefield, but in public life.
And that’s exactly what he did.
Historical records confirm that Captain James Starkey became a member of the very first Minnesota State Legislature when statehood was granted. Representing District 2 (Ramsey County), he served from 12.02.1857 to 12.06.1859. In the House's temporary organization, he was named Speaker Pro Tempore—one of the first leaders to help steer Minnesota's legislative body in its earliest days. While not the first official Speaker, Starkey held the gavel as the House gathered for its first business. He later chaired the Banks Committee and served on the influential Ways and Means Committee, helping shape the young state’s policies and infrastructure.
It’s also believed that Starkey played a key role in designing St. Paul’s original sewer system—an unglamorous but essential act of public service that laid a foundation for the city’s growth and health.
This story matters to me because it mirrors what I’ve come to know as true in my own walk: we are all in need of grace. Sometimes that grace comes from presidents. Sometimes from a stranger. And sometimes, it has to come from within.
Captain Starkey’s story is a Mulligan—a do-over. A second chance that wasn’t wasted. He didn’t let one chapter define the entire book. He turned a page and wrote something redemptive. That story flows through my family line, right down to me. I’m the product of educators, legislators, and a long line of doctors—people who chose lives of healing, service, and purpose. And I carry the torch forward, hoping to live with the same kind of courage and humility.
So today, I honor this flawed and faithful ancestor—not as a hero without blemish, but as a man who got back up and built something that lasted.
To anyone reading this who feels like their past disqualifies them from making a difference, hear this:
Your story isn’t over.
The pen is still in your hand.
And grace… still writes in ink.
Michael Mulligan is a storyteller, encourager, and author of Live Long and Prosper, sharing grace-filled stories rooted in real-life redemption. All proceeds from his work support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
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