My Genealogy Hound

RUFUS M. STARK, merchant of Riverton, Nebr., was born in Green county, Ill., in 1854, and is a son of J. P. Stark, who is also a native of Illinois, but moved to Edgar, Nebr., in 1877, and is a prosperous mechanic; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee, steward and class-leader. His mother, Ann E. (DeMotte) Stark, is a native of Indiana. Rufus M. Stark is the eldest of three children, the other two being — John A. and Harry L. He was educated in the public schools of Bloomington, Ill., and the Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1874 he went to St. Joe, Mo., arriving there August 28, and worked in a restaurant until March, 1875, when he went to Troy, Kans., and worked on a farm until September of the same year, when he returned to St. Joe and took a course in Bryant’s business college, from which he graduated, but did not get his diploma for want of $5 to pay for it. He then returned to Troy, Kans., and began working in the general store of John F. Wilson, as bookkeeper and salesman, continuing with him until August, 1877, when he went to Florence, Kans., entering the employ of Tucker & Co., dealers in general merchandise. Thence he went again to St. Joe, Mo., and engaged with Townsend & Wyatt, dry goods merchants. November 1, 1878, he came to Riverton, Nebr., and began clerking in the Franklin house. He afterwards was employed by Douglas & Brandon, and was with them until they failed, May 1, 1880.

March 21, 1880, Mr. Stark was married to Miss Sarah Weeks, a native of Illinois. Four children were born to this union, namely — Lena E., who died when nine years old, of diphtheria, after an illness of eleven and a half days; she was a bright, amiable child, beloved by all who knew her, and in intelligence was in advance of her years; Rufus J. died when only a month old; Stella A. was born May 3, 1885; Jessie V. was born October 27, 1887. About a month after his marriage, Mr. Stark was thrown out of work, by the failure of the firm with which he was employed, with only $30 in money. He then engaged with P. A. Williams & Co., and was with them until they were burnt out, on November 12, 1882. He then went to work with E. M. Razee in a grocery and drug store, and was with him until March 1, 1883; then was with Chapin & Hager until August 27th, and then with Anthon & Young for two years. In 1885 he determined to engage in mercantile business on his own account, and bought out M. B. Kelly & Son, August 13, 1885, paying $100 down and giving his note for the balance. He has been a successful merchant, increasing his trade and building up his stock until it will now invoice between $7,000 and $8,000. Mr. and Mrs. Stark are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Stark is trustee and Sunday-school superintendent. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has passed through the Royal Arch degree. In politics he is a republican-prohibitionist. He is city treasurer and member of the school board of Riverton, and Mrs. Stark is an active member of the W. C T. U. of Riverton. Mr. Stark is not only one of the leading business men of Riverton, but is an active and leading spirit in all moral and elevating enterprises, in which he has the willing cooperation of his wife. Mr. Stark says his success in business is due to the liberal use of printer’s ink.