My Genealogy Hound

John C. Darr, merchant, Athens, Ark. Prominent among the successful business concerns of Athens stands the mercantile establishment conducted by Mr. Darr, who is one of the city’s most enterprising and popular business men. He was born in the Tar Heel State, Lincoln County, in 1833, and of the six children born to his parents, Henry R. and Ann (Blackburn) Darr, he was second in order of birth. He attained his growth on the farm, was educated in the country schools, and at the age of eighteen years he left his home to learn the trade of plasterer and bricklayer. After finishing his apprenticeship, in 1858, he came with his family to Arkansas and settled in Pope County. In 1859 he went to Mississippi, remained there for one year, and then returned to Pope County, where he was residing at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in Dodson’s company, and was in a number of skirmishes in Arkansas, but was soon taken sick and discharged. After a time he joined Company E, Gordon’s regiment, Cabell’s brigade (cavalry) and served in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and on outpost duty. He was in several skirmishes in Louisiana, was in the battles of Poison Spring and Marksville, was at Jenkins’ Ferry, but not in battle, and was in nearly all the engagements of Price’s raid through Missouri. He was captured near Pisgah Church in Pope County in the winter of 1864, was sent to the military prison at Little Rock, and was released at Gen. Lee’s surrender. He then came home and for a year was in bad health, and on this account went to Texas where he remained until 1871. He went to Hot Springs in 1871, and was engaged in mercantile business there until spring of 1874. While residing in Texas he was engaged in contracting and building and erected many of the first buildings in Waco and Jefferson. In 1874 he came to Atkins, and at once engaged in business with his brother, J. F. Darr, the partnership continuing until 1881, when they separated, and Mr. Darr has been in business alone ever since. Mr. Darr now occupies a large building, 25x100 feet, with warehouse, and owns another building which he erected, 26x120 feet, for a store room. He carries a full line of general merchandise of about $11,000, and does an annual business of about $35,000, buying cotton and doing a plantation supply trade. In 1880 he erected a neat residence in town and owns considerable other town property besides a farm of 260 acres which he rents. He was married in 1871 to Miss S. D. Wilson, of this county, a daughter of James Wilson, who is one of the old settlers of this section. It was in honor of the latter’s grandfather, who came here at an early day, that Wilson Township was named. To this union were born six children, four of whom are living and two dead: Emmett L., Claude W., John E., Lizzie and Annie (twins). Annie died at the age of six months, and the first born child died unnamed. Mrs. Darr, who died in 1883, was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Darr was married the second time in 1885 to Miss M. E. Scarlett, who was born and raised in this township (Wilson).