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Christian |
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CHRISTIAN SAMUEL STARK SR. was born September 1, 1857 in Philadelphia to Henry A. and Rebecca Stark. He married Eliza E. Leech in the 1870s. By the time of the 1880 Census a son William Leech Stark had been born. Four more children would follow. sons Harry A., Grover C., Christian S. Jr., and a daughter, Margaret. Christian Stark Sr. first appears in Camden's City Directories in 1896, at 108 North 35th Street in the town of Stockton, with his wife Eliza and sons William L., Harry Alberger Stark., Christian S. Jr., and daughter Margaret. They appear to have had moved to Stockton in 1895, as son Grover Cleveland Stark had died in Camden on November 16, 1895. The City Directory states that Christian Stark then worked as a salesman in Philadelphia. More than likely he would have taken the trolley that ran down Federal Street into Camden and then crossed into Philadelphia via one of the ferries, the Market Street ferry being the most likely route. Christian S. Stark Sr. first entered fire service on May 1, 1896 as a volunteer with Rosedale Fire Company No. 4 in the town of Stockton, which then comprised what is known today as Cramer Hill and East Camden. Christian Stark was among the founding members of this company. In 1899 Stockton merged with the City of Camden. The Stockton fire companies remained in service until midnight on February 28, 1900 for a short time when companies at Camden's newly-built fire house on North 27th Street between Westfield Avenue and Federal Street went into service. A few of the Stockton firefighters became members of the City of Camden's professional department. Christian S. Stark, Elmer Ellsworth Stevens, and Robert Gick were of that number. Christian S. Stark in time was promoted to Captain in June of 1911, taking the place of Edward Weston, who had retired due to a line of duty injury. By 1914 he was Captain of Hose and Chemical Company No. 2, quartered at North 27th Street and Hayes Avenue. On January 1, 1924 this unit was renamed Engine Company 11, and stationed at the same location. However, it appears that Captain Stark retired in 1923. Christian
Stark was married twice. His first wife was the former Eliza
Leech. Their children included Harry Alberger Stark, who went on
to work as an an engineer at the Camden Public Works Water Company.
Eliza Stark died on December 18, 1912. He was living at 108 North
35th Street as late as 1924. His second wife was Mary E.
Linckenstine. She was originally hired to care for him after his wife
Eliza died. Mary was 33 years younger than Christian and it created a
small problem when they were married. By 1927 Christian S. and Mary Stark had moved to 112 North 35th Street. Christian S. Stark died June 29, 1928. According to his obituary, he died at his home, 112 North 35th Street in East Camden. Other sources state he passed away in neighboring Pennsauken, New Jersey. He was buried at Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken next to his first wife, Eliza. His son, Harry A. Stark passed in 1950, and was buried nearby, Margaret Lovett Stark joining him in 1954. |
| Rosedale
Fire Company No. 4 Membership Certificate September 21, 1897 |
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Philadelphia
Inquirer - November 26, 1899 Right Click on Images to Download PDF of Article |
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Cooper
B. Hatch - George
W. Whyte - Edgar
Boulton-
John W. Vanhartt - W. Scott Franklin Robert Gick - Joseph Till - Edward Kelly - Christian Stark - Frank Powell - Lewis H. Sasse Samuel Collins - William Madison - John F. Renner - Josiah Pedigree |
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Philadelphia
Inquirer
November 28, 1899 Cooper
B. Hatch - George
W. Whyte Right Click on Images to Download PDF of Article
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Philadelphia Inquirer O. Glen
Stackhouse |
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Philadelphia Inquirer * June 24, 1911 |
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108 North
35th Street
1895-1924 Photograph taken March 28, 2009 |
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108 North
35th Street
1895-1924 Photograph taken March 28, 2009 |
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112 North
35th Street
1927-1928 Photograph taken March 28, 2009 Click on Image to Enlarge |
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112 North
35th Street
1927-1928 Photograph taken March 28, 2009 Click on Image to Enlarge |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 30, 1928 |
| Christian
S. Stark
Christian S. Stark, former Camden city fireman, died of pneumonia last night at his home 112 North 35th Street. He was 71. Stark suffered from a weak heart, and recently caught cold, which developed into pneumonia. He was well known in East Camden, where he resided for the past 32 years. He is survived by his wife Mary Stark, and several children. The deceased was a member of the fire company for about 23 years and went on pension about five years ago. He was Captain of Engine Company 11, stationed at 27th Street and Hayes Avenue, East Camden. He was a member of Trimble Lodge No 117, F. and A.M., and of the Firemen's Relief Association of Camden. Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at his residence, Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery. |
| Bethel
Cemetery Pennsauken, New Jersey |
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