Tuscola-Saginaw County MI Archives Biographies.....Stark, William H. 1843 - 
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

WILLIAM H. STARK, President of the Village Council of Vassar, and a dealer in
boots and shoes, is numbered among the most influential citizens of this
thriving place. In any measure calculated to advance the interests of the town
he is interested, and his hearty cooperation in all the latest and best
innovations is is recognized as a prominent factor in the growth of Vassar.
Although his attention is closely confined to the details of his private
business yet he finds time for public duties, and in organizations of a
political or business nature he is equally well known. As one of those who may
properly be called the representative citizens of Tuscola County he is entitled
to a place in this volume, and we are pleased to invite the reader's attention
to the following brief account of his life.

  A Canadian by birth, Mr. Stark was born in Port Dover, Ontario, July 15, 1861,
and is therefore now in the prime of a vigorous manhood. His parents, Joseph H.
and Betsy (McIntosh) Stark, were natives respectively of New York State and
Canada, the mother being of Scotch parentage and the father of English descent.
The father operated a factory in Saginaw, this State, and when William H. was
not in school he was at work there. He has no recollection of his native town
for he was only one year old when he was brought by his parents to Saginaw,
where the father was engaged in making potash and soap, he attended the common
schools in Saginaw and was already far advanced for one of his years, when at
the age of ten his father sold out his business and removing to Vassar, engaged
here in running a stage, carrying mail and express from Vassar to Saginaw for
two years.

  In 1873 Joseph H. Stark removed to Reese, where he opened Stark's Hotel, which
with the exception of one year he has since conducted. Our subject received his
education principally in Vassar under the instruction of Professors Park and
Wood. At the age of fourteen he started out in life for himself, earning his
first money by working in a stave mill and receiving $25 for his services.
Before he was fifteen years old he bought two horses and two buggies, going in
debt for a portion of the amount, and starting a livery stable which he
conducted for about four years. This occurred during his residence in Reese,
whither he went with his parents. Thus early in life did he display the
enterprise of his character and his determination to succeed.

  Later he sold oat his business and took a contract with the railroad for
furnishing material and building fences. He was thus employed about one year
when on account of the failure of the contractor he sunk about $1,700. Although
this was very discouraging to a young man just starting out in life, he
commenced with renewed effort although in a different line of business.
Purchasing a meat market he was for one and a half years engaged as a wholesale
butcher. It was about this time that he made for himself a home, establishing as
its mistress Miss Carrie A. Wakeman, an accomplished young lady residing in
Reese. Mrs. Stark was born in Mt. Clemens, this State, January 9, 1862, and is
the daughter of Daniel J. and Louisa B. (Wilcox) Wakeman, both natives of New
York State who have resided in Reese since 1873. Mrs. Stark accompanied her
parents from Mt. Clemens when a young girl and was reared to womanhood in Reese,
where she was married to our subject September 20, 1882. The greatest sorrow
which has come to the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Stark has been the death of
their son, Lute A., who died when seven months old. They have one child
surviving, a son, Guy W., who was born in Reese August 15, 1883.

  After closing out his meat market, Mr. Stark moved to Vassar in 1883 and
engaged in the livery business in this place for about five years. On March 4,
1889, he purchased his present business and is prosperously engaged as a dealer
in boots and shoes. A Republican in his political affiliations he has been
honored by his fellow-citizens in an official capacity and in 1889-90 he was
elected Treasurer, and in 1891 President of the village. Socially he is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Vassar. He is also a
Knight of Pythias, having served as Inner Guard, Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor,
and is now Commander. Besides these organizations he belongs to the Order of the
Maccabees and the Independent Order of Foresters, where he served as Financial
Secretary.

  Mr. Stark is the second in a family of three children, the others being
sisters. Christie was born in Ontario and married John L. Root, a traveling
salesman for a Cleveland house with which he has been connected for fourteen
years. Their home is in Vassar and they have one child, Mabel. The younger
sister, Celia, married M. A. Chenoweth, of Detroit, and unto them has been born
one child, a son, Jay.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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