Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/931

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��WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

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��his ofl&cers, told them the story of the soldiers, whose intelligence concerning Hull's surrender made them almost frenzied with anxiety, and asked the services of some one to carry a message from him to Col. Root ; but one would comply ; at this time, Elm Creek, near whose banks the officers were parading, had swollen from recent heavy rains ; the waters had overflowed the banks, and covered the bottoms on either side ; it was necessary to cross the stream to go to the residence of Col. Root ; again Kratzer called upon his officers ; " Who," said he, " will cross that creek, and bear a a message to Col. Root?" A moment's pause waited their reply, when several voices almost simultaneously responded, " I will." About six or eight immediately mounted their horses and plunged into the rolling flood. Timber and rubbish were floating down the stream, of- fering dangerous obstacles. The company had not pro- ceeded far until they retreated, declaring that no man could cross that stream in safety. " Yes, there is," said Capt. Cunningham, and snatching the message from the hands of the officer, he mounted his char- ger and plunged into the flood. He gained the opposite shore, however, in safety, and proceeded nine miles through a dense wilderness to the residence of Col. Root. The Colonel verified the state- ment of the soldiers, and dispatched forthwith an an- swer to Col. Kratzer, requesting him to dismiss the prisoners. On receiving this, Capt. Cunningham re- traced his steps to the banks of the stream, which he recrossed the next morning and arrived safely in camp, amid the cheers and congratulations of Kratzer and his officers.

DARLING, JONATHAN (deceased) ; he was born in Virginia March 7, 1793 ; his father's name was Joseph Darling ; his father was a farmer by occupation ; he came to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Co- shocton Co., where he continued to reside till the day of his death. He died while on a visit to his children in this county ; his widow came to this county and lived with her son .Jonathan the remainder of her days. They were both interred in the St. Johns Cemetery, in Mon- roe Township. Jonathan Darling was married to Miss Catharine Butler June 24, 1816 ; they came to this county at an early day, and he purchased a quarter-section of land in the fertile valley of the Clear Fork. His farm adjoined that of his brother William, on which the old block-house stood, being situated in the eastern part of Worthington Township ; he subsequently purchased an- other quarter-section adjoining his first purchase ; he then owned a farm of 300 acres of as choice land, perhaps, as there is in the county. He continued to reside on this farm as long as he lived, and with the aid of his sons made many lasting and valuable improvements thereon. Mr. Darling was a quiet, inoft'ensive, sober and indus- trious man ; kind and indulgent to his children, and social and friendly in his intercourse with the world at large. He and his good wife were members of the Lutheran Church at St. Johns for many years ; they were by no means slack in their contributions for religious and be- nevolent purposes. Mr. Darling and wife are the par- ents often children, named in the order of their births, as follows ; Robert, Joseph, Rebecca, Squire, Vincent, Abigal, Jane, Sophia, John, Editha and Jonathan Passence ; Rebecca, died Dec. 22, 1847, aged 27 years

��and 10 months ; Abigal J., March 29, 1872, aged 46 years 7 months and 24 days ; all their other children are living, and all are married and have families but Sophia, who is unmarried. Mrs. Darling died April 18, 1859; Mr. Darling departed this life July 25, 1863. He died in the 71st year of his age ; and she was in her 66th year when she died ; they are both, also her deceased daughters, interred in the St. Johns Cemetery in Monroe Township.

DARLING, JOHN M.; farmer; P. 0. Perryville. John M. Darling, fifth son of of Jonathan and Catha- rine Darling, was born in Worthington Township, Feb. 25, 1829 ; the days of his boyhood and early manhood were spent on his father's farm, in assisting him in the cultivation and improvement thereof. March 21, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, eldest daugh- ter of Jonathan and Eve Henry, of Knox Co., Ohio; Mary Henry was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., .July 9, 1837 ; her mother's maiden name was Brolian ; her parents were both of German descent ; she had one brother, named Thomas, and one sister, named Vashti ; her brother died when about 14 years old ; her sister married Martin Haas, and resides in Jackson Co., Kan.; her mother died in 18.53, and is buried in the Dunkard graveyard near Ankneytown in Knox Co. John M. and Mary Darling are the parents of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, named in the order of their births as follows : Oliver Cromwell, born Dec. 30, 1858 ; Hulda Ann, Feb. 1, 1860 ; Mary Alice, Oct. 25, 1861 ; Emma Idessa, Sept. 25, 1863 ; Elvy Cath- arine, Feb. 23, 1865; Jonathan Homer, .Jan. 18, 1867: John Ryley, Oct. 4, 1868 ; Milly, Aug. 30, 1870 ; Otto French, Sept. 12, 1871 ; Matty, March 20, 1873; Myrtle, Nov. 20, 1877 ; and Dennis, Feb.lO, 1880. Einma Idessa died Feb. 3, 1864 ; Oliver Cromwell, Feb. 7, 1864; and an nfant son July 20, 1874; the first two died of scarlet fever ; they are buried in the St. Johns Cemetery. After his marriage, Mr. Darling farmed for his father on shares for a number of years ; at his father's death he bought the interests of his brothers and sisters in that part of the old homestead first purchased by his father ; he still continues to reside on this farm ; his farming operations are conducted in a workmanlike manner, and his crops, as a general thing, are most abundant ; he and his good wife are' respected members of the com- munity in which they reside.

DARLING, F. M., farmer; P. 0. Perryville. Hia father, William Darling, was the second son of William and Mary Darling, who were among the earliest settlers of this county ; Mr. D. was born April 5, 1820. In 1844, he married Avis Manchester, who was born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1818 ; soon after their mar- riage, William Darling, Sr., presented them with 160 acres of land in Sec. 2, where he always lived ; their children were George, Marion and Thomas Jefferson Darling (the latter deceased). June 29, 1851, the mother was called away, and May 11, 1853, he married Elizabeth McBride ; she became the mother of three sons and four daughters, viz.: Mary Ann, Salena, Jane, Annette, John Franklin (deceased), Elwilda Winfred McClellan and Harry Elvin ; the spring after hi^ last marriage, he bought the Jacob Norrick farm for $2,525, and sold 72 acres to G. M. Alexander for §5,000, and still had 50 acres left; then bought 40 acres of the

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