David A. Starkweather

David Austin Starkweather (January 21, 1802 – July 12, 1876) was an American lawyer and politician who was a U.S. Representative from Ohio and a U.S. diplomat. He served two non-consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the mid-19th century and was United States Ambassador to Chile during the presidency of Franklin Pierce.

Early life and career
Starkweather was born in Preston, Connecticut on January 21, 1802. He graduated from Williams College and studied law with his brother in Cooperstown, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1825, establishing a practice in Mansfield, Ohio. He located in Canton, Ohio in 1828.

Political career
He was a judge in one of the higher courts in Stark County, Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1833 to 1835, and a member of the Ohio Senate from 1836 to 1838. He was a representative of the Democrats in Congress from Ohio from 1839 to 1841 and again from 1845 to 1847. In his first term, he was a member of the Committee on Roads and Canals, and a member of the Committee on Invalid Pensions the second term. He was chosen a presidential elector in 1848 for Cass/Butler, and served as U.S. envoy to Chile from 1854 to 1857. He lost election to Ohio's 18th congressional district in 1860.

Death
Starkweather died of paralysis at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Brinsmade, in Cleveland, Ohio, July 12, 1876. He had three daughters and one son.