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- MAJOR CHARLES W. STARK, one of the leading farmers of La
- Prairie Township, residing on section 35, is a representative
of one of the pioneer families of Rock County. He was born in
Windsor County, Vt., Aug. 5, 1840, and is a son of William H.
and Clarissa (PLUMB) STARK, who came to this county during the
early days of its history. He received his primary education
in the common district schools and then entered the High school
at Milton, Wis., where he purposed to complete his studies, but
before many months had elapsed the Civil War broke out and finding
it impossible to confine his attention to his lessons, he left
the school room and enlisted in the service of his country in
September, 1861, as a private in Company F, 13th Wisconsin Infantry.
The regiment was mustered into service on the 17th day of October
following, and left Wisconsin for Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where
it remained for a short time, then marched to Fort Scott, Kan.,
continuing at that place until March 22, and was transferred
to
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- Lawrence, March 31, 1862. From there the regiment proceeded
to Fort Riley, where it was fitted out in an expedition into
Mexico, but on the eve of departure for that land the order was
countermanded and the Mexican expedition retraced its steps to
Fort Leavenworth, going thence to Columbus, Ky., where he remained
on duty until the 5th day of August, 1862, when he was promoted
to a Second Lieutenancy on the recommendation of field officers
of his regiment and transferred to the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry,
and ordered home to join that regiment, then organizing. He organized
and drilled a company with which he went into camp at Camp Utley,
at Racine, Wis. This was assigned to the 33d Wisconsin, and was
organized and mustered into service Oct. 18, 1862, the company
which Lieut.. STARK had recruited, becoming Company F. The regiment
remained in the camp of instruction until Nov. 12, when it departed
for the scene of war, arriving at Memphis, where it was assigned
to Grant's command as part of the Army of the Tennessee, and
served in the campaign against Vicksburg and in the battle and
capture of Jackson. In January, 1863, the 33d Wisconsin was transferred
to the 16th Army Corps under Major Gen. Hurlbert. While at Memphis,
Mr. STARK had been promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
He remained with the regiment until November, 1863, when he was
detailed on recruiting service, and returning to Wisconsin, opened
a recruiting office in Janesville, where he remained until March
1, 1864. Returning to Vicksburg, he was ordered to Nashville,
later joined the Tennessee expedition organized at Nashville,
and subsequently joined Gen. Blair's column, en route to join
Sherman's army. After participating in the Atlanta campaign,
the detachment returned to Nashville, rejoining the regiment
Dec. 1, 1864. On the 13th day of that month, Lieut. STARK was
detailed as aid de camp on the staff of Col. L. M. Ward, who
commanded the 1st Brigade, 3d Division of Detachment, Army of
the Tennessee, afterwards known as the 16th Army Corps, and did
duty in that capacity until March 1, 1865, when he became aid
de camp to Col. J. B. Moore, of the 1st Brigade, 3d Division,
16th Army Corp, and served in that capacity until the close of
the war. He participated in many other important battles, and
at the capture of Spanish Fort, where he was distinguished for
his faithful service and great bravery, was brevetted Major of
volunteer forces of the United States.
- For four long years Major STARK served his country on the
southern battle fields. His courage,
- his fearless discharge of duty, his faithfulness to any task
imposed upon him won recognition from his superiors in rank and
his promotion was well merited. Although but twenty-one years
of age when he entered the service, he stood the test with a
firm undaunted spirit. He was instrumental in the recruiting
office, placing one organized company in the field and also influencing
many others to enlist. To such men does the country owe her present
prosperity, her happiness and her perfect union.
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- On his return from the war, Major STARK
- turned his attention to farming, which occupation he
- has followed continuously since. On the 15th day of January,
1868, he led to the marriage altar Miss Harriet E. NASH, a native
of Michigan, and a daughter of Jefferson and Matilda (OWENS)
NASH. Her father was one of the leading manufacturers of this
county, where he settled in the pioneer days, and both he and
his wife died in the city of Janesville. To Mr. and Mrs. STARK
was born one child, a daughter, Nellie.
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- On the 8th day of October, 1879, Mrs. STARK was called to
her final home. Mr. STARK was
- again married Sept. 22, 1882, his second union being with
Mrs. Cora HEMMINGWAY, whose maiden name was CHAPIN. Her father,
Hugh CHAPIN, was one of the first settlers of this county. By
this union three children were born - Charles W., Hubbard W.
and Cora M. On the 8th day of October, 1887, our subject was
again called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. She was a most
kind and affectionate wife and mother, and her death was mourned
not only by her immediate family but by many friends throughout
the community.
- In 1869 Mr. STARK was elected by the Republican party, of
which he has ever been a firm
- supporter, to the office of Recorder of Deeds, in which he
served for two terms of two years each. In 1874 and 1875, he
operated a fanning mill factory, after which he returned to the
old home farm, where he has passed the greater part of his life
since 1846. It is the farm on which the family first located
on their arrival in Rock County. He owns the southwest quarter
of section 26, making, with his home, 178 acres of arable land,
highly cultivated and stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle
and hogs. In his social relations, Major STARK is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to W. H. Sergeant Post,
No. 20, G.A.R., of Janesville. In the community no man stands
higher in the respect of the people as a man of strict integrity
and sterling work. (see portrait)
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-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 905-906; lithographs from
same book.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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