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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Jacob DARLING 

Pages 368 and 371, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: DARLING, FLEMING, PASSEN, SEVERNS] 

    
JACOB DARLING is acceptably filling the position of Police Magistrate of Astoria. He came to this place more than forty years ago, and has ever since been one of its most useful citizens. He was born September 5, 1827, on a farm near Warsaw, Coshocton County, Ohio. His father, Isaac Darling, was born on the south branch of the Potomac River in Virginia, and was a son of Robert Darling, who is thought to have been born in Ireland of Scotch parentage. The latter on coming to America settled in Virginia, and subsequently removed from there to Ohio in 1806, and was a pioneer of Coshocton County. The removal was made with teams, and the greater part of the way lay through a wilderness. There were put a few families living in Coshocton County at the time and the Indians still lingered about their old hunting grounds in that part of the State. Mr. Darling bought a tract of heavily timbered land and built a log house to shelter his family. There were no markets and the people lived almost entirely on the products of their land and on venison, bear meat and other game which was abundant. The grandfather of our subject cleared quite a tract of land, and lived in his pioneer home until his death. He raised flax and kept sheep and his wife used to card, spin and weave the wool and flax, and made all the cloth in the family. Her maiden name was Catherine Passen. She also died on the home farm. She was the mother of twelve children; eight sons and four daughters. 
    
Isaac Darling was twelve years old when his parents removed to Ohio. He assisted his father in clearing the farm, and resided thereon until his marriage, when he bought land across the Walholding River from his old home. Forty acres of land were cleared and a log house stood on the clearing, which was afterward the birthplace of our subject. The father erected a substantial brick house in 1839, and in that made his home until his death during the war. He lived to see that part of Ohio in which he settled, develop from a wilderness into a well settled and wealthy county, and he contributed his quota to advance its growth. 
    
The father of our subject was twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, the subject's mother, was Mahala Severns. Her father, Joseph Severns, was a native of Wales and a pioneer of Coshocton County. Mrs. Darling died in 1832. There were six children born of her marriage; four sons and two daughters. Mr. Darling's second wife was Jane Severns, a cousin to his first wife. She died two years after her husband's death. 
    
Jacob Darling, of whom we write, grew to man's estate in his native county, and at the age of twenty-one commenced work at the trade of a carpenter. He resided in Coshocton County until 1848, when he went to Indiana, and spent the winter in that State. In the spring of 1849 he started on horseback for this county, and after a very pleasant and agreeable journey arrived here safely, and located in Astoria. He found here only a small village, and men of his calling were in demand to assist in building up the country. He worked at his trade until the year 1852, and then was elected Constable. He served in that office continuously until 1885, a period of thirty-three years, and made an invaluable official. In 1885 Mr. Darling was appointed Postmaster of Astoria, and served with acceptation until after the change of administration. During the time he was Constable he acted four terms as Collector of Taxes. In 1890 Mr. Darling was elected to the important office of Police Magistrate of Astoria. He is discharging the duties thus devolving upon him with sound judgment, rare discrimination, tact and fairness, and the people are well satisfied with his manner of conducting the affairs of his office. 
    
Mr. Darling and Miss Matilda Fleming were married in the month of October, 1849. Mrs. Darling is a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, and a daughter of John Fleming. Six children have blessed her happy union with our subject, whose names are as follows: Isaac M., Oliver L., George N., Clement L., Lee Roos and Hugh H.