Thaddeus Stark was born in Oxford and died at the home of his son, M.S. Stark, Sunday, June 20 in the city of Flint, aged 79 years, 9 months, and 28 days.
He was the second of three sons of Squire W. and Elizabeth Stark early pioneer residents of this township and was the last of the family. His wife Lydia Jane VanWagoner, also of this township. To them were born four children, three sons and one daughter, one son dying in infancy. His life was a strenuous one; as a lad he endured all the hardships of pioneer life in clearing the homestead and being of a mechanical turn he did a great amount of construction work of various kinds.
He was of a genial disposition , and his reminiscences of the struggles of these early days was interesting and he always sought a man’s work. About 37 years ago, he moved his family to Millington where he virtually began life over as a settler on a new farm. Twenty six years ago the death of his wife and daughter both within a little over one year, saddened and darkened his latter life. He continued to reside upon his farm until two years ago when the infirmities of old age compelled him to go and live with his sons.
He is survived by two sons, Marvin S. and Milton J. Stark both of Flint, and five grandchildren, two nephews, Elmer and D. Ward Stark, residents of Oxford, and one niece, Miss Lorenette Stark of Detroit. He was a brother in law of Fred VanWagoner of this place and James and Frank VanWagoner of Pontiac.
The remains were brought to the Oxford Cemetery Tuesday where a burial service was held by Rev. Mitchell and interment in the family lot. (Oxford Leader 25 Jun 1920)