5/30/2009:
Work on the Northern Pacific Railway advanced rapidly across the Dakota prairie until the Financial Panic of 1873 brought construction to a screeching halt at Bismarck.
The Northern Pacific languished for several years. Finally, in 1878 a new team was brought in to reorganize the bankrupt company. Their work began the process of putting the railroad back on track, and the transcontinental route was eventually completed. One of the committee members was New Hampshire native and Civil War veteran, General George Stark. He later went on to serve as vice president of the Northern Pacific Railway.
In recognition of Stark's contribution to this vital transportation line, the Dakota Territorial legislature named a new county in his honor. Stark County was officially organized on this date in 1883.
Dakota Datebook written by Christina Sunwall
Sources:
"County History," Official Portal for North Dakota State Government http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History.
Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men. Manchester: John B. Clark, 1882.