My Genealogy Hound

N. H. Stark is a well-to-do and successful cotton buyer of Camden, Ark., and was born in the Indian Territory, in April, 1859, being a son of O. P. Stark, who was a missionary to the Choctaw Nation from 1849 to 1866. He had charge of the Lamor Female Institute, at Paris, Tex., for several years, and when he died, in 1883, he was considered one of the finest educators of the State. N. H. Stark was reared principally in the Lone Star State, and there also received his education, receiving his instruction from his father, who lavished his skill upon him. Owing to the burning down of his father’s institute, much of his time was spent in supporting the family, when, under happier circumstances, it would have been devoted to study, but on starting out in life for himself he engaged in merchandising, in Paris, Tex., continuing three years. He subsequently became connected with Martin, Wise & Fitzhugh, of Paris, the largest cotton dealers of Texas, and while in their employ acquired a knowledge of the cotton trade which has since stood him in good stead. Since 1884 he has been a resident of Camden, Ark., and has been engaged in business on his own responsibility, his ventures being attended with excellent results, but since then has been associated with a Mr. Douglas, the firm being Stark & Douglas. They handle on an average from 8,000 to 10,000 bales of cotton annually. Mr. Stark is a Mason, and a member of the K. of P. He was married September 7, 1886, to Miss Mary Oatwell, of Aberdeen, Miss., and by her is the father of two children: Nathan H., Jr., and Martha.