JOHN W. DARR, Huntington, Indiana.
John W. Darr was born in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, November 9, 1863. His father, Reuben Darr, was a prominent farmer of that county, but some time after the birth of his son John W., removed to Rochester, Indiana, where he bought a farm and settled with his family. At this latter place the subject of this sketch attended school until he was 16 years of age, and then for awhile assisted his father on his farm. Later he secured a position as engine watcher on the Erie, and in 1882 was advanced to fireman. Eight years later his ability and his faithful attention to business won him promotion to engineer, and he has since run an engine in the freight service, being at present on local freight and running between Rochester, Indiana, and Chicago.

He was united in marriage on Christmas Day, 1889, to Miss Mamie Darrow, the accomplished daughter of R. J. Darrow, master painter of the Erie shop at Huntington. They have one child, Nellie Grace, a bright 8-year-old lass, who is attending school. Mr. Darr takes great interest in secret societies, being affiliated with Ben Hur Lodge of Huntington; Lodge No. 121, K. of P., and B. of L. E., Division 221, of which he has been a subordinate officer for two terms. Mr. Darr owns a fine farm in Fulton County, Indiana, and a pleasant home in Huntington, where he is held in high esteem by his many acquaintances, both he and Mrs. Darr being socially inclined and hospitable entertainers.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

J.W. Darr
Suspended 5 days from May 14th for running the switch at Huntington yard, May 3rd. Carelessness.

SOURCE: P. 183, Chicago & Erie Railroad Employment Summary Book, ledger book covering @ 1880-1905. Donated to this site courtesy of Nick Pappas. Transcription by Jim Sponholz (c) 2007.

From the March, 1911 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Another casualty overtaking an Erie employe, is of a much more serious and lamentable nature. Engineer John Darr lost his right eye in an explosion of oil. Mr. Darr is yet a young man, which makes the accident the more deplorable. He is considered one of the best and most efficient runners in the passenger service. He is an all around good fellow and popular with those who know him. At first it was thought the eye could be saved, but later, word from the Akron, Ohio, hospital brought the information that the optic would have to be removed.

From the December, 1928 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
John W. Darr, retired engineer of Jackson, MI, attended the meeting of the Chicago & Atlantic Veteran Employee Association at Huntington recently.

From the Saturday, November 17, 1951 issue of the Rochester News-Sentinel:
John Wilson Darr, 88, well-known retired Erie engineer, who for the past 15 years resided in this city, passed away at noon Friday in the Mercy Hospital, Jackson, Mich. Mr. Darr suffered a stroke about a month ago and since that time was making his home with his daughter, Mrs. William McVeigh, of Jackson, Mich. During his residency in this city he made his home with his niece, Mrs. William Keys, 215 E. Ninth street.

He was born, Nov. 9, 1863, in Drake County, Ohio, the son of Reuben and Margaret (Wise) Darr. He moved to the Athens comunity east of this city with his parents when a small boy. Mr. Darr was married to Mayme Darrow on Dec. 24, 1889.

When he was 14 years of age he began work for the Erie railroad as a water boy for a construction gang at Athens. He was employed by the railroad for 44 years, retiring as an engineer 30 years ago, after he lost his eye following an accident while at work.

He then founded the Food Market at 196 N. Main which is now known as Perschbacher's Grocery.

He was a member of the First Christian Church at Huntington and the Erie railroad Veteran Employees Association.

Survivors are the daughter, Mrs. William McVeigh, of Jackson, Mich.; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Miltenberger, of South Bend; two grandsons; eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews in Rochester and vicinity. His brother, Newt Darr, of Rochester, also a retired Erie engineer, passed away but a few months ago.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Robbins Funeral Home, Huntington, Ind. Burial will be in the Huntington Mount Hope cemetery.

[Transcriptions from the Rochester News-Sentinel found in FULTON COUNTY INDIANA OBITUARIES, by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh, available online through the Fulton County Library, Rochester, IN]