Samuel W. Starks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel W. Starks
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| Born | March 10, 1866 |
| Died | April 3, 1908 (aged 42) |
| Nationality | American |
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| Occupation | Librarian |
Samuel W. Starks (born March 10, 1866 – died April 3, 1908) was an important African American leader. He became famous across the country because of his work with a group called the Knights of Pythias. In 1901, Starks made history by becoming the first African American to be a state librarian in West Virginia.
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Early Life and Career
Samuel W. Starks was born and grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. When he was a child, he worked as an apprentice, learning how to make barrels. As a young man, he had many different jobs. He worked as a clerk and telegraph operator for several railroad companies. He also managed a store and a publishing company.
Starks went to the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago, Illinois. There, he studied how to take notes quickly (stenography) and how to keep financial records (bookkeeping).
Community Leader and Business Ventures
Samuel Starks started many businesses in West Virginia and Ohio. He was also very active in West Virginia politics. He worked hard to fight against rules that tried to separate people by race on public transportation.
Leadership in the Knights of Pythias
Starks was best known for his work with the Knights of Pythias. This was a fraternal order, which means it was a group of people who joined together to help each other and their communities.
He helped start the Capitol City Lodge No. 1 in Charleston. For 16 years, he was the grand chancellor, or main leader, of the black Pythians in West Virginia. In 1897, he was chosen for the highest national job in the Knights of Pythias: supreme chancellor.
While Starks was the leader, the group grew a lot! Its national membership went from 9,000 to almost 150,000 people. The women's part of the group, called the Order of Calanthe, also added 38,000 members. Starks encouraged members to put their money together to help black business owners buy property. In 1902, the group started the Pythian Mutual Investment Association for this reason, and Starks was its president.
West Virginia State Librarian
In 1901, the Governor of West Virginia, Albert Blakeslee White, chose Starks to be the state librarian. This was a very important moment because Starks was the first African American to ever hold such a position in any state. The next governor, William M. O. Dawson, also chose Starks to continue in this role. Starks served as state librarian until he passed away.
His Final Years and Legacy
Samuel Starks died in Charleston on April 3, 1908. Thousands of people attended his funeral, and Governor Dawson spoke there. He was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston. In 1911, the Knights of Pythias put up a tall, 32-foot granite memorial at his gravesite to honor him.
The Samuel Starks House was recognized as an important historical place in 1992. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
