Richmond planet., 1897-10-30
PY'YHIAN'S
COMMANDER.
Under His Leadership West
Virginians Prospered.
AN INSTRUCTIVE CAREER.
Beloved By All Who Know Him.

S. w. STARKs was born at Charles
ton, West Va March IL, 1855. be at
tended the public schools OF that city,
working in the Cooper shop during va
cation, until he had completed the
course. At the age of 10 years he en-
tered the service OF Kanawha q Ohio
r. K. Co.. as messenger boy and by
earnest, indefatigable industry worked
his way up to the place OF chief tele-
graph operator in. the general office OF
that c .mpany, q position never before /
or since held by any colored man in
the State. He remained with the /
above named company until 1890. when /
IL was united with the L. & o o. X. r.
at which time the headquarters at
Charleston were abolished and he was
offered position as operator in the /
general Office at Toledo, o., but re-
fused it, to take a course IN the Bryant
& Stratton Business College Of Chica-
go, ILL.,
OFFERED THE POSITION OF CASHIER.
While attending this Institution he
was offered position as cashier in
large establishment in Denver, Colo |
RADIO, which be accepted in the Spring |
of 1891 and held until the fall Of the |
same, when on account of failing |
health he resigned, and returned 70 |
Ohio, accepted a position as telegraph |
operator for the Il & o.. @. r r. at
| Corning, where he remained for Isl
months, when he was called bv the
Capitol City tso-operative Company a
very strong organization OF colored
men doing business in Charleston,
West Va 20 accept the position of
manager of the concern.
IN THE GROCERY BUSINESS.
This company dissolving in 1894 he
opened large grocery store together
| with an ice cream parlor on Capital
street, OF the city OF Charleston. and j.
doing an excellent business, and il
| we'll respected as thorough, subs an
tial business man of the place. AS q
| Pythian Mr Starks was a charter mem
ber of Capitol City Lodge, No. L. of
Charleston, which was organized IL
| 1891 and which was the first X. of =
Lodge in the State. he was it's first q
10. the unanimous vote of the lodge
Having been cast in his favor, which
position be held until he left the
State When returning to the State in
thh Spring of 'o3 he was appointed ID
is. G. by S. O. DIR. K. A. Williams. He
at once took hold of matters and be-
gan to dissimminate the principles OF
lPythianism throughout the State
thereby infusing into the people great
er enthusiasm for the work than ever
before, and by September OF the same
year he had succeeded in instituting
| the required number of subordinate
lodges necessary to establish Grand
: Lodge.
THE GRAND LODGE or WEST VIRGINIA.
The Grand Lodge was organized at
ICharleston September 18th, 1898 and
/ lhe was elected Grand chancellor with
Y out dissenting vote, since which time
: he has held this Important position
having been elected five consecutive
times by the unanimous vote of the
Grand Lodge. He represe nted his
State in the TIN Biennial session of the
| Supreme Lodge at New Orleans. La
5 in 1898, being the youngest represents
tive in that body, but at the same time
7, SO recognized as one of the most intel
e ligent members, that he was placed
T upon some OF its most important com
II mittees. He also attended the counse
of Grand Chancellors which was helC
in Philadelphia. Pa, in August '94 fol
the purpose of considering the endow.
so perplexing to the order and di'
e much toward effecting the importan
d changes which have proven so benefi
ciaI to the order.
SUPREME REPRESENTATIVES,.
It He again represented his State in tn
q 9Th Biennial session of the Suprem
Lodge at st. Louis in 1895 and his ear
Inest zeal and we'll known bushes
It Qualifications secured for him the Su
"a preme Vice Chancellorship, bein
e, elected by a large majority of ths
o, body. During his administration q
~ Grand Chancellor of the knights
g. the State of West Virginia, the oIde
has grown from an humble beginnin
until today it ranks second to Il
OF Grand Lodge in any State and he hi
an raised Pythianism to such high plaC
of that it stands head and shoulder
above all other secret orders in I'll
at State.
Us THE ORDERS CONDITION.
70 This order in the State of West vi
e ginia is especially noted for its sour
financial basis and the number of il
telliRent business and profession
n men identified therewith and it is tl
~ unanimous opinion of all concern,
." that the success and prosperity of p
thianism in the State of West Virgin
is due to the unusual business tact al
executive ability, together with Il
ed generous and amiable spirit so chara
10 teristic of Grand Chancellor Starks al
ra under the magnetic influence OF su
Mt. a noble leader the K. of P's of We
ed Virginia hope TO reach heights
re- which as yet they have scarcely dar
es- aspire.
Respectfully,
be J.R. J.