Stark, James Hart–(1792-1874)–Louisiana, Missouri–was born on July 30, 1792 in Hutchison, Kentucky.  Judge James Stark, as he was known, was the son of Capt. James Stark  from Virginia.  The Starks were originally from Glasgow, Scotland.  Judge Stark was awarded land in Missouri for his military service in the war of 1812.  In 1816, he took scions from the old family orchard in Kentucky and began his nursery, Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., in Missouri.  From this stock, on forty-five to fifty acres, was established the first commercial orchard west of the Mississippi.  Other fruits growing wild in this area lead him to introduce new and superior varieties of plum and berries.  His business was responsible for the introduction to the Mississippi Valley and the far West of a large number of the leading varieties of commercial fruits grown in western orchards.  He died in August, 1874.  His descendants carried on the business.
Sources:  Plants; Bailey; Slosson; HP; Bryan; AN; Terry