Stark's Cure Chair patentU.S. Patent Office Born: May 25, 1872
Died: September 21, 1946, New York City Death Certificate - Manhattan 20089
Married: Margaret Agnes, born March 1869 in New York State and died between 1920 and 1930; Katherine Carey
George L. Starks was a builder; he formed the Adirondack Hardware Company in partnership with Michael J. Callanan and William A. Walton. Starks was born and raised in Peru, New York, a few miles north of Keeseville; he had been a school teacher before getting into the hardware business. He was a proud man who some people did not like, but who nearly all respected. He demanded the best of his employees. He wasn't the highest paying boss in town by any means, and his workers worked hard for what they got; but he was "square" enough with them to command their loyalty. In fact, he demanded the best in everything — and he usually got it.
He also had a way of getting the most from what was already his — such as with his lot at 29 Broadway. His north line was not at the river's south shore but down the river's middle. So he felt no compunction about using every inch of dry land for his building, in fact, the foundation walls are flush with the original shoreline (the "new", made-by-Starks shoreline is 3 1/2 feet farther north). Because of this, the building's footings in some places go down as far as 93 feet.
Original text by Philip L. Gallos
As a member or members, George L. Starks and his wife, Agnes, were named in the sale of Pontiac Club property to the Saranac Lake Boys' Club, Inc., in 1917.
Plattsburgh Press-Republican, September 23, 1946
George L. Starks Dies in New York
Native of Town of Peru Operated Hardware Store Here From 1924 to 1929
George L. Stark, president of George L. Starks and Company, Inc., of 24 Kiwassa Road, Saranac Lake, for more than half a century, one of northern New York's most widely acquainted business men, died Saturday at St. Vincent's hospital in New York City.
Mr. Starks, who from 1924-1929 operated a branch store of his hardware concern in Plattsburgh, was a native of the Town of Peru. He was born May 25, 1872, a son of Thomas L. and Catherine Starks. In 1890 Mr. Starks moved to Saranac Lake where he entered the employ of Walton & Callanan, the firm later becoming the Adirondack Hardware Company. In 1926 the firm took Mr. Starks' name and became the George L. Starks Hardware Company with Mr. Starks as president. He held the office at the time of his death.
Mr. Starks was a communicant of St. Bernard's Church at Saranac Lake, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council at that village, a member of Saranac Lake Lodge of Elks No. 1508. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Bernard's.
Surviving Mr. Starks are his wife, the former Katherine Carey, to whom he was married on June 9, 1941, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Carey, both of Saranac Lake. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at nine o'clock in St. Bernard's Church with burial to take place in the church cemetery.
Lake Placid News, September 27, 1946
George L Starks Died Saturday in New York
George L. Starks, president of George L. Starks and Company, Inc., Saranac Lake, for more than half a century one of northern New York's most widely acquainted business men, died Saturday at St. Vincent's hospital in New York City.
Mr. Starks, who from 1924-1929 operated a branch store of his hardware concern in Plattsburg, was a native of the Town of Peru. He was born May 25, 1872, a son of Thomas L. and Catherine Starks. In 1890 Mr. Starks moved to Saranac Lake where he entered the employ of Walton & Callanan, the firm later becoming the Adirondack Hardware Company. In 1926 the firm took Mr. Starks' name and became the George L. Starks Hardware Company with Mr. Starks as president. He held the office at the time of his death.
