Charles Edward Stark, son of Charles Stark and Wilhelmine Catherine Schwarz, was born on September 23, 1880 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania although the 1880 Federal Census record shows that he is one year of age when the family was enumerated on June 14, 1880 which would make his birth date closer to June, 1879. Charles completed the eighth grade in school, which was standard for his era. He was skilled in mathematics and was employed as an accountant his entire life. As a young man he worked for P & W Railway as a clerk. For a time he was employed by American Bridge Company in the Traffic Department. In the 1920's he was an accountant with the Carnegie Illinois Steel Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which was later known as US Steel.
Charles met his future wife, Martha Marie Frederick, while both were working at the American Bridge Company. Martha was employed as a stenographer. They married at Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 10, 1914. The ceremony was performed by Rev. I. Frederick Jones. The newlyweds were both thirty-four years old when they married. Martha Frederick, daughter of Alfred Frederick and Lucinda B. Orr, was born on April 8, 1880 in Columbiana County, Ohio.
Seven years later, the Starks welcomed their only child, a daughter, Martha Jean, on December 4, 1921. Charles and Martha Stark were both forty-one when Martha Jean was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Charles was gainfully employed, even during the Depression, and the family lived in comfortable homes in the Avalon area. They were a middle class family and had money for summer vacations, nice clothing, and modern conveniences.
Charles was a quiet, serious man who enjoyed coming home from work and listening to opera or classical music on his Victrola. Works by Wagner were among his favorites. In the evenings he would read or work on his ledgers adding all the columns of figures in his head. Martha would spend her evenings sewing or knitting. Charles never owned a car and took public transportation to work. The family frequently went to the movies on Saturday night and Charles was allowed one cigar a day, which he had to smoke in the basement!
Charles was an extremely religious individual. He was a member of long standing at the Bellevue Methodist Church, volunteered his services as the church treasurer, and participated in social activities and plays. He was extremely close to the minister, Rev. John Benjamin Magee, who referred to Charles as, “Old Faithful.” He was also forty-five year member of Allegheny County Lodge #223 of the Free and Accepted Masons, the same lodge to which his father belonged.
The Starks entertained their families during the holidays for dinner. Martha tended to use her “best” for these occasions--Haviland china, silver and crystal serving pieces--causing the dinners to be rather formal. Charles loved holidays. On the Fourth of July he would decorate the outside of the apartment in colorful banners and balloons. Christmas was always a special day as he would stay up late into the night decorating a winter wonderland under the tree, complete with ponds of water with real goldfish!
Charles was never sick a day in his life, so it was surprising when he became very ill in December, 1944. He died on January 24, 1945 at the age of sixty-four from purpina hemorrhegica and nephertis. Martha spared no expense on the funeral arrangements. Charles had dreamed of retiring to Florida and had purchased land there. Because he did not realize his dream, Martha spent lavishly on the funeral. The land was sold after his death to the Donald Duck Orange Juice Company.
Martha Frederick, having been a working woman, had a great many friends before she married. She was known to family and friends as “Freddie” and apparently had a fun loving personality when spending time with her friends and family, a side she did not show as a parent. Martha was a good basic cook and an immaculate housekeeper. She was an excellent seamstress. Delivery trucks from Joseph Horne Company would deliver dresses and Martha would copy the style and return the clothing. This was a common practice during the time. Her signature on many of the dresses was to embroider small French roses somewhere on the piece, usually on the collar. She made clothing for her own daughter and for her only granddaughter. There were always matching dresses for the dolls, too.
While Martha was pregnant, she lost most of her hair. At the turn of the century women were fitted privately for a transformation (wig) and Martha wore one well into the 1950’s. She also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and walked with the assistance of a cane. Age did not affect Martha’s mind, she was “sharp as a tack” until she died!
Charles made many good investments, which left Martha in a good financial posture. She enjoyed meals out with her friends and made a good life for herself as a widow. A member of the Bellevue Methodist Church, she was active in Circle and spent time sewing bandages for cancer patients and knitting hats, mittens, and scarves for servicemen and less advantaged children. I have found records that she was a long standing member of the American Red Cross.
My memories of Grandma Teek, are good. As a very young child, we would take the “teekcar” to get to her home, thus the nickname, Teek. She could be strict and reserved, but underneath, she liked to have a good time. When I was old enough to drive, she would call me and invite me out to dinner. Teek enjoyed a good hamburger and she did have a sweet tooth--especially for ice cream. We had a little game that we enjoyed. I usually drove her back to her apartment in Avalon after family gatherings and she would always shove some money my way. Of course, I protested, but she would insist saying, “We will keep this a secret from your mother!”
Martha Stark died on January 6, 1971 at North Hills Passavant Hospital, McCandless Township, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from heart disease, at the age of 90. Her attending physician was my father and her son-in-law, Dr. George VanGilder Hughes. Both Charles Edward and Martha Frederick Stark are buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park Cemetery, in McCandless Township in Section B322.
Child of Charles Edward Stark and Martha Marie Frederick:
MARTHA JEAN STARK born December 4, 1921 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, married GEORGE VANGILDER HUGHES on November 23, 1943.
Updated: October, 2009
Obituary of Charles Edward Stark submitted to the Rootsweb.com, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Archives by Linda Hughes Hiser.
Obituary of Martha Frederick Stark submitted to the Rootsweb.com, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Archives by Linda Hughes Hiser.
A special thank you to my mother, Martha Stark Hughes and to Dorothy Cooper Richards for lovingly sharing their family memories, photographs, and momentos.
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