WI BIO - Dane Co - STARCK, John H.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, p 433

John H. STARCK, one of the enterprising citizens of Madison, Dane County, WI, 
was born in Germany, near the Rhine River in a Rhine province, 23 Sep 1838, 
son of John and Helen (MICK) STARCK, both born and reared in the same 
province, which land was soon after turned over to France. The business of 
the father was the manufacture of pottery and smoking pipes; he came to 
America in 1846, when our subject was seven years old. The first location of 
the family was in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin [Territory of 
Wisconsin if before 29 May 1848, when WI became a State], and here the father 
reared his seven children, our subject being the oldest. Her John STARCK, 
Sr. lived until his death in Oct 1866, and the affliction so overcame Helen 
(MICK) STARCK that she died the same month, within one week of her husband. 
John STARCK, Sr. had been in the business of pipe manufacture at the time of 
his death.

John H. STARCK, our subject, went to the common schools of Milwaukee, WI, but 
soon found it advisable to enter into business, therefore he began learning 
the carpenter trade under John MAILER and remained with that firm from the 
time he was 18 until he was about 20 years of age. In 1877 he came to 
Madison, WI, and entered into the contracting business on his own, remaining 
in the business until nine years ago, having devoted his whole time to it. 
In 1883 our subject started a planing mill on Washington Avenue [in Madison, 
WI], and there engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and 
everything used in the construction of buildings. He has erected some of the 
leading business blocks in Madison, WI, and did the woodwork on the Dane 
County courthouse. He did all of the contracting on the new Presbyterian 
Church, the 3rd Ward school, the State dairy and cow building, and also the 
armory.

John H. STARCK was married in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, 22 Jun 1861, 
to Miss Mary Ann BAULLESBACH, of Milwaukee, and they have become the parents 
of eight children: Helen C., Mary Mathilde, Marquetta M., Prince A., F. 
Edward, Mary J., May R., and John A. One of these children is deceased. 
Mary Ann (BAULLESBACH) STARCK died on 17 Feb 1887, and John H. STARCK was 
remarried, in Sep 1887, his second wife being Elizabeth STORM, of Madison, 
WI. His family are all gone [no longer living at home] except the two 
youngest children. John H. STARCK is a Democrat in his political opinions, 
and in religious belief is a Roman Catholic. He has been recognized as a man 
of ability, both in Milwaukee and Madison. During his residence in Milwaukee 
he held the office of Alderman, and since his residence in Madison he has 
twice been Alderman of the 4th Ward. The beautiful WI churches at Waunakee 
[Dane County], LaCrosse [LaCrosse County], Richland Centre [Richland County], 
Pine Bluff [Dane County], Milwaukee, and West Bend [Washington County] 
testify to the skill and taste of our subject.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly