Tazewell Merriman Starkey (c. 1829–1901) was a farmer, banker and civic leader in Roanoke County, Virginia.
As a result of the abundant supply of brown Hematite found in the area, the Harvey Furnace soon gained an excellent reputation for producing iron of very high quality.
Soon after it was named for the English ship, the Speedwell, that according to family tradition brought Harvey's ancestors to America.
"The structure served as the headquarters of the first bank founded in Roanoke following its incorporation by the General Assembly in 1882.
Established to facilitate the financial transactions of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, the First National Bank subsequently followed a career that closely paralleled the growth of the city into the leading financial and industrial center of Southwest Virginia.
He was especially interested in rural education, and provided land and support for the Starkey School near his home.