George Paul Stark 1841-1922

STARK, HILL, VOLLMER, KURTZ

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/3/2007 at 18:53:23

Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Scott, Iowa; Monday evening, January 2, 1922

G.P. Stark Is Summoned by Death Monday
Prominent Here as Jeweler, Music Lover and Fraternalist

In the death at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon of George Paul Stark at his home, 823 W. Eighth street, after an illness of three days' duration, Davenport has lost one of her leading citizens, former jeweler, lover of music and devoted fraternalist.

Mr. Stark was born Jan. 4, 1841, in Bavaria, Germany. His father, John Stark, a schoolmaster, was a gifted musician. His son was educated in Wuertzburg and learned the trade of watchmaker. After serving his apprenticeship, he spent five years in London and five years in Paris with large jewelry firms.

In 1871 he came to America and after a short stay in New York city, came to Chicago, where he worked for several years with the jewelry firm of Child's Brothers. In 1875 he was connected with the firm of Goos & Kircher. Later he established a business for himself under the name of Stark & Ruser, one of the leading jewelry stores of Davenport for 29 years, after which period the firm was dissolved.

Mr. Stark was a great lover of music, charter member of the Harmonic society, in which he served as secretary for a number of years. He was also a member of the Turner society, Fraternal lodge No. 221, A.F. & A.M. and the Woodmen of the World, for which he was banker for ten years.

In 1879 he married Miss Annie Hill, daughter of the late Charles Hill, and leaves to mourn his death besides his wife, four children, Miss Norma Stark, instructor at Milwaukee Downer seminary, Mrs. Ida Stark Vollmer of California, Dr. Oswald George of Chicago, and Mrs. Edna Stark Kurtz of Cedar Rapids, and one granddaughter, Marjorie Vollmer.

The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the home, 823 West Eighth street, with Dean Marmaduke Hare officiating. Friends will be welcome at the home; services at the grave in Fairmount cemetery, however, in charge of Fraternal lodge No. 221, A.F. & A.M., will be private.