Stark, James Hart–(1792-1874)–Louisiana,
Missouri–was born on July 30, 1792 in Hutchison, Kentucky. Judge
James Stark, as he was known, was the son of Capt. James Stark from
Virginia. The Starks were originally from Glasgow, Scotland.
Judge Stark was awarded land in Missouri for his military service in the
war of 1812. In 1816, he took scions from the old family orchard
in Kentucky and began his nursery, Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards
Co., in Missouri. From this stock, on forty-five to fifty acres,
was established the first commercial orchard west of the Mississippi.
Other fruits growing wild in this area lead him to introduce new and superior
varieties of plum and berries. His business was responsible for the
introduction to the Mississippi Valley and the far West of a large number
of the leading varieties of commercial fruits grown in western orchards.
He died in August, 1874. His descendants carried on the business.
Sources: Plants; Bailey;