Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-09-24
Obituary.
col. BYRON W. DARLING.

COL. BYRON W. DARLING.
In attempting to perform the "abor OF
respect" which the editor of the AMERICAN
so kindly and eourteously suggested to me.
am aware how imperfect this sketch must
necessarily be, and would that an ADLER pen
might trace more worthy record of the life
and character of our esteemed friend and
respected citizen; but | shall consider it no
task, II any words of mine may serve TO per-
petudte his memory.
Col. Darling was born in Bluehil. Sept. %.
1913. His grandfather, Jonathan Darling,
WAS one Of the first settlers of the town. and
his descendants have ever been identified with
the various enterprises and industries of the
place. l am told that in his boyhood days
Col. Darling had that dignity of manner and
self-respect which he ever maintained through
life, and which won for him the respect of all
who knew him. In the common schools and
academy at Bluehiil he obtained thorough,
practical education. By his scholarly tastes.
his careful consideration OF all subjects pre-
sented to his mind, and his literary pursuits,
he was constantly adding to his store of infor-
nation, and increasing years found him more
interested in study and research, SO that even
to his latest days, he WAS actively engaged in
literary work.
He was successful schoo-teaeher for many
years, commencing at the age of eighteen
and several singing schools. ''He held offices
both OF honor and trust, such as >electman,
S 5. committee; he a member OF the
Maine legislature IN 1913; coroner of the
county OF Hancock for eight years deputy
sheriff under Richard Tinker and John X.
Redman for fourteen years. and deputy col
lector at Ca-tine under Mr.. ReCman for four
years.
In military matters Col. Darling took an
active interest He was promoted from the
Office of Ensign to that OF Colonel of the l,t
Regiment, LIST Brigade and Sd Division of the
Old Maine Militia. hence his title. At the time
of the "Aroostook War. nearly ~ years ago,
he was in command OF the Bluchil militia
company. BY orders of hi, superior officers
be made a draft of nineteen men from his
company Sabbath day. soon after. being
one of the selectmeu, he accompanied the
drafted men 10 Bangor and saw them enrolled
and mustered into the service OF the State.
In the opening and development OF the gran.
lie quarries in this town. Col. Darling. with
his father and brothers, had an active and
interesting part. and much Of the success OF
the granite industry, especially in it, early
days. was largely due 10 their efforts, rs they
were among the first 10 form a company for
working the stone. After the death OF his
father the firm dissolved ami Col. Darling
then engaged in cemetery granite work. In
Rluebili. Surry. urand. Ellswo rth aud Belfast.
there monuments and granite enclosures
" hich are the work of his hands. But in the
later years of his life he has been doing
work perhaps a. lasting H. the granite forms
he has moulded. and 10y which he will be
longer held IN remembrance by the present
and future generations. refer TO the valuable
historical papers aud family records which hc
has 30 studiou>}y and carefully prepared. and
which have been published IN the AMERICAN
from time to time, ! presume they have been
preserved and often referred to NV many no
will now regret that they never expressed to
the author and compiler their appreciation OF
his iabor> in preparing these papers for pubii-
csli0n. and yet II was a pleasure and salts
faction 10 Col. Darling 10 trace out these
records. and recall old scene, and ancCdatr.
connected with the history OF hi, nstiyc town.
He man Of industrious habits and there
fore much happier when his time was occu-
pied with his writing or in some light work
out Of doors and IN the garden, than he would
have been to have given up all scti>r pursuits
and counted himself among those who had
"Out-lived their u>etu!ne-s.' His clear int,l-
let, vigorous mind and menta facutit, were
unimpared 10 the last hour OF h. life.
In lN;l5. Nov. l.. Col. Daring married
FSciina W. tr>kne 81 Lowell Mass. An e.
Unable woman. who died Aug. {, ~. But
TWO children lived 10 rcach maturity; ttcor.i-
anna VI. born May IA, ISL. She became til,
wife Of Capt. Hiram Cio~>ou. She died Jau.
l.. $50. aged b. leaving daughter three
Years Old, Carrie g., who j. nov Mrs. Carrie
Il. Barnard, living al LaupIhO-tioc. Haw ali.
interest from her pen wA> published in the
AMERICAS. This only granddaughter win
htar with deep sorrow Of the >tNeriu. ~ an
other Of the few links which hei her IN the
household chain. Her father, CAPT. Co>son
died IN I Humboldt, al, Dee. g. is. one son
survives Col. Darling, Henry Byron, with
whom he had n comfortable and pleasant
home in his declining years
col. Darling married several years ago M.
Emcline A. Gupill Of Boston Mass. who
"a iN4 In, III. .4I. f.fVt
WAS tongregaiionaii,t, and for many wears
WAS a consistent member Of that church
Though of late h. had not been able 10 attend
the church services to any extent. many Will
recall the words they baVe heard him speak in
the prayer and conference room -wori> which
gave evidence of deep thought aud sincere
faith.
But the end came suddenly. Unexpectedly
He had been AT work in the garden during The
day. nnd retired Il ssoi a. usual at night. but
in the first hours OF the morning of Aug. %,
1881. he wa, taken with a severe attack Of
hrarr-di>ease. He said. II am very SEX
man and before medical aid could arrive he
had passed away. 1t j. singular fact that IN
les than ten months three brothers should
have died so suddenly. Nov. 3, 1880. Nespu>ian
Darling died instantly in a hotel in Portland.
| believe, having Just concluded an article for
the il,duStrid} JDuFHHi.
Jan. -. 1891, Fred. A. Darling went ont in
severe rainstorm to 10 iurnin. the water
AWAY from his buildings and IN 1--WE minute.
be found near The corner Of hi house
with life extinct. and now the older brother
has Joined them in the same sudden release
from the 'carthll house OF fhi> tabernacle"
\ large number al beighhor~ and citizens met
al the house of Henry Il. Darling, I'D. on
sunday afternoon. Au-. 30. To- lgy the lt>t
Offices Of respect To bis fathers memory and
to follow with him aud his family the remains
to their last resting-place beside the VIM.
W Darling. the only grandson. came from
Waltham, Mass. TO attend the ersices. Rev.
Mr. ponnell read appropriate scripture and
offered PRAYER. and quartette choir sung
Nearer my God 10 thee" and The Land 10
which We 20" His earthly life j. ended but
the influence Of that life and character will
long endure.
The reaper. Death, his sickle used
Directed by Gods love.
shock Of fully Ri ened grain
l. garnered safe above.