Albert M. Stark
For many years Albert M. Stark was a well known figure in mercantile circles in Xenia and was so widely and honorably known that no history of this county would be complete without the record of his life. His father, William T. Stark, came to Greene county from Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1814, and almost immediately became a factor in the business life of Xenia. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and was a son of John Stark, who subsequently removed to Lexington, Kentucky. It was there that William T. Stark completed his education and learned the trade of a silversmith, which he followed during the greater part of his life. In 1829 he was appointed postmaster of Xenia and served in that capacity continuously until 1841, his first appointment coming from President Jackson. He held various ofticial positions of trust and was an honored and influenlial resident of the community. In 1814 he married Miss Lydia Miley, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Cincinnati. Her parents settled in Columbia, Hamilton county, Ohio, immediately after leaving the Keystone state, and subsequently Mrs. Stark became a resident of Greene county. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children. William T. Stark departed this life in 1858 and his wife survived him until 1872, having lived with her children in Xenia after her husband's death. They were among the early and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the family has ever been noted for industry, integrity and honor.
Albert M. Stark, whose name introduces this record, was born in Xenia June 4, 1822, and acquired his education under the direction of Thomas Steele, one of the most popular and efficient teachers of the city. When a boy he was employed in the store of Canby & Walton, where he received his first business training. He there remained until 1838, when his services were sought by J. C. McMillen, with whom he remained as a salesman for some time and finally was admitted to a partnership in the business, this relation being maintained for twenty years. He was also one of the founders of what became one of the largest mercantile houses of Xenia, that of Stark, Lytle & Cooper.
In 1862, however, Mr. Stark put aside business cares and enlisted as a Union soldier in the One Hundredth and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and owing to his business qualifications he was immediately made quartermaster, the appointment coming from Governor Tod. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and operated in West Virginia with the Sixth Corps. On the 12th of January, 1863, Mr. Stark was captured by the rebels at Winchester and experienced all the horrors of life in Libby prison, where he was confined for fifteen months. He was the only prisoner who survived the tortures of that loathsome den for so long a time. Of the three who were captured at the same time, his two companions died in the hospital and Mr. Stark was paroled from the hospital, September 12, 1864. In the following January, he rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg and had great satisfaction in witnessing the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, knowing that it practically ended the war for the preservation of the Union. His regiment was then sent to Danville, Virginia, on to Richmond, and a few days later was ordered to Washington, where it participated in the most celebrated military pageant perhaps of the century, known as the grand review.
On the 1st of July, 1865, Mr. Stark was mustered out of service at Columbus and immediately thereafter returned to Xenia, where he resumed business relations. He was one of the oldest grocery merchants of Xenia at the time of his death and enjoyed an extensive and profitable patronage. He was also for a number of years the president of the building and loan association, and for fourteen years he was president of the school board. Through a long period he also acted as a member of the city council, and in each public position which he was called upon to fill he discharged his duties with marked loyalty and capability. By Governor Hayes he was appointed a trustee of the Soldiers" and Sailors' Orphans' Home, in which capacity he remained for six years. Governor Bishop reappointed him to that position and for a third term he was appointed by Governor Foster. He was elected appraiser of real estate of the west half of Xenia in the spring of 1889 by a large majority. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic, and took a very deep and helpful interest in the latter order. He was also a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Xenia and enjoyed the distinction of being its first presiding officer.
On the 19th of February, 1851, Mr. Stark had been united in marriage to Miss Mary Ward, who was born May 2, 1832, a daughter of James H. Ward, one of the highly respected pioneers and merchants of Middletown. This union was blessed with two living children, William and Walter C, who are residents of Xenia. Mrs. Stark still survives her husband and resides at No. 134 West Main street. It was on the 8lh of February, 1895 that Albert M. Stark was called to liis final rest, his remains being interred in the Woodland cemetery. He was long a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a distinguished and worthy citizen of Xenia.
From History of Greene County, Ohio, by George F. Robinson (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1902)