Stark, Emma A.

Flourished: 1858 Atlanta, Illinois

Emma A. Stark was a wife, a mother, and a legal client of Abraham Lincoln. In November 1850, she married LaFayette A. Stark in New York. Two years later, they had a son together, whom they named Frederick J. Stark. In April 1856, Emma separated from LaFayette. She relocated to Illinois, retained legal representation from Lincoln & Herndon, and, in July 1858, filed for divorce. In the end, she not only obtained a divorce; she also won full custody of her son.

Bill of Complaint, Affidavit, Document ID: 71085; Decree, Document ID: 3514, Stark v. Stark, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), https://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136143.