Merchant Alexei Dmitrievich Startsev, who lived in the second half of the 19th century, is a man of indefatigable energy, who knows not only the Buryat, Mongolian and Chinese languages, but also European, the father of five children, a diplomat, an entrepreneur who created an unprecedented diversified economy - a paradise of the globe.
From biography
Alexei Dmitrievich Startsev - the son of the Decembrist N. Bestuzhev and the Buryats of Dulma - was born in 1838. His family ties could not be declassified. And the father decided to issue the boy in the name of a person close to him - the merchant Dmitry Startsev. Alyosha received his home education under the guidance of his father, who opened a school at home and taught children to read and write, both Russian and Buryat.
In his youth, Alexei was interested in revolutionary ideas. But then he realized that only peaceful transformations and hard work can lead a person to a decent life.
A. Startsev helped his adoptive father in trade, and then became a clerk. He further developed entrepreneurial activity in China and on the coastal island of Putyatin.
Versatile entrepreneur
At first, Alexey Startsev traded in China, mainly furs and fabrics. Experience accumulated, connections appeared, and he took up tea. When the telegraph began to spread, the entrepreneur ventured to participate in the construction of telegraph communications. In Tianjin created a river fleet. Then Startsev and his friend Shevelev thought about the sea delivery of tea from China.
On the island of Putyatin A.D. Startsev created the Native estate with a diversified economy: the production of bricks, porcelain and even silk, the breeding of animals, including thoroughbred horses and sika deer, vegetable growing, beekeeping.
Diplomatic activities
A. Startsev knew several European languages well, Buryat, Mongolian and Chinese. He was the translator of the governor of the capital province of Zhili in China. In negotiations, he sought better conditions for the Russians. A.D. Startsev strengthened the friendship between the peoples of Russia, China, Korea, Japan, did everything to resolve the contradictions peacefully. Alexei Dmitrievich helped diplomats settle a dispute over borders.
Charity is not excessive
A. Startsev spared no effort and money for charity work: he established scholarships, took care of schools and hospitals, supplied building materials, allocated finances for the activities of the society for the study of the Amur Region, for the construction of museums.
From personal life
Alexei Dmitrievich married the daughter of the merchant N. Sidnev - Elizaveta Nikolaevna. Five children were born in their family. In the younger - Evdokia - Buryat blood was seething. From childhood, she shot from a carbine, knew how to control horses. It is no coincidence that she was called the "Putin's Amazon." After the revolution, the Startsevs' property was nationalized, Dmitry and Alexander were expelled from Vladivostok, and in 1937 they were arrested and then shot.
Care of a seaside guardian
A. Startsev anxiously watched the uprising in China, and when he learned about the death of his collection and library, his health shook. So in 1900 one of the ascetics of the Primorsky Territory ended his life.
He wanted to be buried on a hill near the mountain of Starets, which overlooks the island. She began to be called by the name of the merchant. On the island of Putyatin there is a bust monument to a successful owner who, through his diligence, turned this place into a fairy tale.
