Introduction
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 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 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.
Harry A. Stark was married to Margaret Eva Lovett; her parents were Alexander and Mary. She had two brothers, Charles N. Lovett and Alexander Lovett, and one sister, Ellen Lovett.
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 joined him in 1954.
Rosedale Fire Company No. 4 Membership Certificate
Rosedale Fire Company No. 4 membership certificate for Christian S. Stark Sr., September 21, 1897. Click to open PDF.
Want to Be Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
There’ll Be Trouble in Finding Places for All Hands
To-morrow night’s session of the Fire Commissioners of Camden promises to be a lively one. Two firemen for the Second ward and four each for the Eleventh and Twelfth wards will be appointed. In the Second ward the candidates are John Vanhart, W. Scott Franklin and Edgar Bolton. Vanhart has been agreed upon by both factions. Franklin has the support of Freeholder Whyte and a large following, while Bolton is recommended by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton’s appointment was expected at the last meeting of the Commissioners. Afterwards it was found that typewritten resolutions purporting to be signed by the same committee of the Second ward club which indorsed Bolton was sent to the Commissioners prior to the meeting urging the appointment of Franklin. The resolutions had the seal of the club attached. This caused the appointment to hang fire. It is now claimed by Bolton’s friends that the club did not indorse Franklin, as he is not a member. It is alleged that the signatures purporting to be those of the committee were not authorized.
In the Eleventh ward Councilmen Longacre and Arnold have not yet settled their differences. Councilman Longacre insists on the appointment of Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark. Councilman Arnold claims the right to name Frank Powell and Lewis H. Sasse notwithstanding the fact that at a conference he agreed upon the names presented by Councilman Longacre. In the Twelfth ward Councilman Leas, the City and Ward Committeeman, and the Union Republican Club favor the naming of Samuel Collins, William Madison, John F. Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
Firemen Selected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch’s Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. As predicted in The Inquirer on Sunday last, John W. Vanhart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Vanhart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Vanhart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre’s candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side.
The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Hugh Kelly, James Harris and William Conway were held in $800 bail each by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday charged with beating Special Officer Samuel B. F. Alcott.
Tax Receiver John S. Roberts, who was stricken Friday at his desk, was reported last night to be greatly improved.
Blood poisoning from burns of the right hand received in fighting a fire at the old “Red Mill” property on April 14 caused Fireman Chros [sic] Stark, of the East Camden fire companies, to undergo an operation yesterday.
Miss Effie Lucas, of Brown’s-Mills-in-the-Pines, and a school teacher at New Lisbon, was admitted to the Cooper Hospital yesterday with her lower limbs severely burned. She was placing twigs on a brush fire when her clothing became ignited.
Herbert Johnson, 12 years old, of 775 Pine street, was attacked and badly bitten by a dog near his home yesterday.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Permanently injured two years ago by the upsetting of a chemical engine, Edward Weston, captain of the East Side Fire Company, was notified yesterday by the Fire Commissioners that he will be placed on the retired list on July 1. He had been in the service twenty-one years. Lieutenant Christopher Stark will be made captain to fill the vacancy.
Edward Weston – Christian S. Stark
108 North 35th Street
Residence of the Stark family, 1895–1924.
Named: Christian S. & Eliza Stark (d. 1912), William L. Stark, Harry A. Stark, Grover C. Stark (d. 1895), Christian S. Stark Jr., and Margaret Stark. Photographs taken March 28, 2009..
112 North 35th Street
Residence of Christian S. and Mary Stark, 1927–1928.
Christian S. & Mary Stark. Photographs taken March 28, 2009.
Christian S. Stark
Camden Courier-Post —
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
Grave of Christian S. Stark Sr., Bethel Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey.