J. Carroll Stark
1830-1908
Born: Stow, Ohio, 1830
Died: McMinnville. Tennessee, 1908

From the Christian Standard, November 28, 1908, p. 46.
J. Carroll Start, a gospel preacher, debater and author of well-known character and reputation, after having "fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith" through fifty eight years of faithful service in the Master's vineyard, departed this life, Oct. 28, 1908 for his reward. During the vigor of his yough and manhood, Bro. Stark served many churches thorough out the middle West as minister and evangelist, by which ministry numberless souls were saved and edified; and he ended his life's work near McMinnville, Tenn., preaching the gospel almost every Sunday to the people of the mountain district, where he maintained a mountain ranch, raising chicken and goats. Although he was in his seventy-ninth year, he maintained his strength both of body and mind, and never ceased to use these talents for the furtherance of haven among men. His conception of Bible truth was clear and deep, and his exposition and delivery of the same were viivid and forceful. He never lacked courage to proclaim and defend his conviction, and he won many victories for truth and righteousness. He was an eloquent preacher, an astute debate and a forceful writher. He was contemporary and conversant with the early days of the Reformation, from which he received its characteristic zeal and spirit, and he has been a strong factor in the restoration of primitive Christianity. Surely a man of God has fallen, a soldier of the cross, a disciple of our Lord, a Christian among Christians, whose absence will be felt.
--- John B. Cowde, Wm. Thurman, McMinnville, Tenn.

Biographical Sketch of J. Carroll Stark Text from Haynes, Nathaniel S. History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois 1819-1914, Cincinnati: Standard Publishing Company, 1915. Pages 608 - 609. This online edition © 1997, James L. McMillan.

He had the advantages of the farmer boys of those days and in that section. To these he added two years in Hiram College. At the age of twelve he was baptized by Alanson Wilcox, and to render this act of submission to his Master's will he walked three miles and returned before changing his clothes. He was in the work of the ministry at twenty. Before coming to Illinois, he served churches in Ohio, New York, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. In this State he served at Princeton, Ohiotown, Belleplain, Antioch (now Toluca), Augusta, Table Grove, Greenville, Salem, Duquoin, Blandinsville and Hamilton. Besides this, he evangelized in twenty-two States and Provinces. His public ministry reached through fifty-eight years.

He held many formal debates on various subjects pertaining to religion. Probably the last of these was in 1903, on "Instrumental Music in the Church of Christ," at Henderson, Tennessee, with Joe S. Wallick [sic - Warlick].

His last pastorate was at Tullahoma, Tennessee. Later, he moved to a ranch near McMinnsville, and preached almost every Sunday to the mountain people, although he was in his seventy-ninth year.

Mr. Stark was a brave and true soldier of the great Commander. He was passionately devoted to his Leader, and carried his banner triumphantly through the storm and smoke of every battle. Sincere and frank as a child, he could have but little patience with the duplicity of sectarian chiefs. Yet his heart was as tender as it was true.

History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois, 1819-1914, p. 608-09

Stark. J. Carroll. The King and His Kingdom. Hamilton, ILL., J. Carroll Stark. 1902. c. 6+529 p. O. cl., $1.50.

Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900
about Phebe E. Degroot
Name: Phebe E. Degroot
Gender: Female
Spouse Name: J. Carrol Stark
Marriage Date: Aug 27, 1890
Marriage County: Adams
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1845384 -1845385.

J. Caroll Stark was a classmate of President James Garfield. Below is a quote from Hiram College and Western Reserve, p. 61.

On Monday evening, September 6, 1852, the new society was organized and called "The Philomathean." But the birth of the Philomathean was the death of the Eclectic. It was a strong society from the beginning. In its first membership were Henry B. Boynton, Ellis Ballou, Philip Burns, John Encell, C. C. Foote, Corydon E. Fuller, Ceylon C. Fuller, William A. Faddis, James A. Garfield, John W. Horner, John Harnit, William D. Harrah, Salem P. Merrifield, Symonds Ryder, Jr., J. Carroll Stark, and Charles D. Wilber; and a little later, the names of Orris Clapp At- water, Harvey W. Everest, Walter S. Hayden, Joseph King, Sterling McBride, O. P. Miller, and Leonard Southmayd appear on the lists. The most brilliant period in the history of this society was the winter of 1853-4. Its meetings were public and all who cared to do so attended. Such subjects as Secular History, Church History, Prophecy, Phrenology, Geology, and Logic and Rhetoric, were discussed in twenty-minute lectures, by James A. Garfield, H. W. Everest, O. P. Miller, Philip Burns, Norman Dun- shee, and Amaziah Hull.

JOHN E. DE GROOT was the father of Phoebe E. who is the wife of Rev. J. C. Stark, a minister of the Christian church at Hamilton, Illinois. Biographical Review of Hancock Co., IL, 437-38.