Benjamin Stark
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Benjamin Stark (b. June 26 1820 in New Orleans, Louisiana - d. October 10, 1898 in New London, Connecticut) was a one-time Democratic senator from Oregon from 1861 to 1862.
Benjamin Stark was born in New Orleans and graduated from Union School (New London, Connecticut) and Hebron Academy. From 1835 to 1848 he studied law in New York City. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York, San Francisco and finally Portland, Oregon. Stark was admitted to the bar in 1850 and became a member of the Oregon territorial house of representatives.
He was a colonel and served in the 1853 hostilities between settlers and Native Americans. He was elected again to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1860. He was appointed by John Whiteaker to serve in the United States Senate after the death of the current senator, Edward D. Baker. Stark served from October 29, 1861 to September 12, 1862 when his successor Benjamin F. Harding was elected. He did not run for reelection.
He resumed his practice of law, also becoming a member of the board of aldermen of New London (1873-1874) and Connecticut State House of Representatives in 1874, as well as the Connecticut State Prison Commission. He died in New London on October 10, 1898 and is interned in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
| Preceded by Edward D. Baker |
United States Senator (Class 1) from Oregon October 29, 1861 - September 12, 1862 Served alongside: James W. Nesmith |
Succeeded by Benjamin F. Harding |
