NELSON J. STARK
A
native of Sweden, where he was born October 17, 1875, Nelson
J. Stark has become a useful American citizen and attained an
enviable place in the community of Lucas, Iowa, despite
struggles and obstacles which he had to overcome. Persistency and
industry brought him to the goal, and, although he experienced
drawbacks and was at times thwarted in his career, he is now
considered a substantial man of the city, where he owns a
comfortable home. A
son of Andrew and Johanna (Wester) Stark, he came to America
with his mother and the younger children, reaching Lucas,
Iowa, May 21, 1884, and here the family has since resided. The father was born
in Sweden on March 25, 1850, and preceded the family to
America, arriving here November 2, 1882. He was a coal and
ore miner in Sweden and has followed coal mining in this
country. The
mother was born in Sweden on May 17, 1854, and both she and
her husband still make their home in Lucas. In their family
were three children, all of whom are natives of Sweden: Nelson J., our
subject; Mrs. Christina Baker, born July 25, 1877, a resident
of Chariton, Iowa; and Carl E., born November 8, 1879, who is
married and resides in Lucas.
The
early educational advantages of Nelson J. Stark were but
meager, but he made good use of such opportunities as
presented themselves. After
leaving school he worked for a number of years in the coal
mines near Lucas, assisting at an early age in caring for the
other members of the family.
In 1898 he was employed as a clerk in a general
merchandising establishment in Lucas and is at present so
occupied in the employ of Warner & Baker of this city. Industrious and
energetic, he stands high in the estimation of his employers
and has made a creditable record in business.
On December 12, 1900, Mr. Stark was married to Miss Ellen Olson, who was born in Lucas county, this state, March 6, 1878. She is an accomplished musician, having in addition to the common-school course taken musical lessons and is well qualified to teach the art. She has always made her home in Lucas. Her parents were Nels and Anna Christina (Nelson) Olson, natives of Sweden, the former born in 1833 and the latter in 1836. The parents became pioneer settlers of Lucas county, being prominent in their locality, and passed away in Lucas, Iowa, the father on April 13, 1896, and the mother on October 14, 1898. Mrs. Olson was previously married to Frank Swanson, two children being born of this union, namely: Charles Swanson, born September 2, 1868, a resident of White Breast township; and Mrs. Anna Peterson, born March 2, 1872, of Lucas. Her marriage to Nels Olson occurred in 1873 and to them were born: John, on May 30, 1874, engaged in general merchandising in Lucas; and Mrs. Stark, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have one son and one daughter: Raymond Harold, born December 23, 1901, attending school in Lucas; and Helen Lorine, born June 3, 1910. Both of these children are natives of Lucas. The family residence is well provided with all attractions to contribute to the happiness of the children, and Mr. Stark’s greatest pleasure is to make life as pleasant as possible to his family. Both he and his wife are of studious mind and deep readers, deriving keen enjoyment from the best literature of the past and present. Although Mr. Stark is providing well for his children, the best heritage he can give them is his own undaunted spirit, which brooks no obstacle nor discouragement and which has led him to achievement.
Politically Mr. Stark is a republican and keeps well informed upon the public issues that affect the nation, his state, his county and his locality, although he is not an office seeker. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church of Lucas, championing all movements undertaken in the interest of Christianity and for the betterment of mankind. Fraternally Mr. Stark is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 133, of Lucas, and has taken an interested as well as prominent part in the work of this society, having been on various occasions a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, being affiliated with Lodge No. 160, of Lucas, and of Lodge No. 276, of Lucas, of the Woodmen of the World. In spite of financial drawbacks and afflictions, Mr. Stark has made his way unaided to a creditable position in the community, giving an example of what ambition and perseverance will do if consistently applied. He stands high today in the estimation of his fellowmen, who admire him for his spirit of pluckiness and his masterful endurance in overcoming adversity. There is no one more highly esteemed in Lucas county today than Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Stark, and it may be said of him that he now but stands on the threshold of further success.