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George William Darr and Louvisa Snyder
I have included George W. Darr because he was a brother of Amos
Darr who was my great (2) grandfather and because of the wealth of
information found about him.
Some of the following information on the Darr family was garnered from the
1850, 1880, 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census'.
Included in the names and dates is information provided by The Greene County
Genealogical and Historical Society in Carrollton, IL.
The following is from the 'Past and Present of Greene County' by the
Hon. Ed Miner; published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. in Chicago, Ill. in
1905.
GEORGE WILLIAM DARR.
George William Darr is one of the native sons of Greene county, his birth
having occurred in Carrollton township about three miles west of the city of
Carrollton. His natal date was June 3, 1850, and upon the old farm homestead he
spent the first seven years of his life. His parents were George and Rebecca
(Hoffman) Darr, who went to Calhoun county, Illinois, in 1848. Both were natives
of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there spent the days of their childhood,
remaining residents of that state until immigration westward to Illinois. They
resided Calhoun county until 1850, when they removed to Carrollton township,
Greene county, settling upon a farm which was the birth place of their son
George William. The father carried on agricultural pursuits and stock-raising
and although his life was quietly passed he gained a competence as a reward of
his persistent labor and careful management and is now living retired in Kansas.
His wife died in March, 1902. They reared a large family, namely; Elizabeth, who
was married in 1864 to Willard Swan and died in Bluffdale township; Amos
who married Henrietta Adams and is a resident farmer of Greene county;
Susan, who is the widow of Dennis Flatt, and makes her home in Kansas; Kate the
wife of B. Hilderbrand, also a resident of Kansas; Mary the wife of Reuben
Profitt, of Rice county, Kansas; Sarah, the wife of Elias Swires of Illinois;
Mrs. Rebecca Butts, also living in Kansas; and Adeline, the deceased wife of
Arthur Bandie, who is also located in the Sunflower state.
George William Darr at the usual age entered the public schools,
acquiring his education in Bluffdale. After he laid aside his text-books he
assisted his father in the conduct of the old home farm and gained there a
practical knowledge of the best methods for caring for the fields and for the
stock. After reaching years of maturity he sought a companion and helpmate for
life's journey and was married to Louvisa Snyder, a daughter of John Snyder, of
Bluffdale township. the young couple began their domestic life upon his father's
farm and there resided until he purchased land, becoming the owner of a tract of
eighty acres of land west of his present home. Later he successively purchased
eighty, forty, thirty-seven, seventy-nine, another eighty, thirty, eleven, one
hundred and twenty, one hundred and sixty, thirty-nine and fifty-nine acre
tracts. In the meantime he sold several small tracts, but by theses various
purchases he has become the owner of a very desirable farming property of six
hundred and eighty-six acres which is now well equipped with modern facilities
and accessories. He uses the most improved machinery in his farm work and
neatness and thrift are displayed in all departments of his farm. He handles
considerable stock, especially southwest cattle, and he buys in the St. Louis
market, feeds, fattens and ships. His is one of the most attractive farm
properties of Bluffdale township and is an indication of the gratifying success
which has crowned his labors.
Mr. and Mrs. Darr are the parents of five children: Robert C., who
married Adeline Flatt, half-sister of Daniel Flatt and is now living in
Bluffdale township, on the home place; Cora, the wife of Marshall Voiles of
Greene county; Marion A., who married Ada Bass and in living on his father's
farm; Ida, who is the wife of Robert Russell and also resides on the old farm
homestead; and Wesley, who is yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Darr is always loyal in his devotion to the general good and has been
recognized by his fellow townsmen, who have elected him to the office of
assessor of the township and supervisor. He is a believer in Democratic
principles and indicates his political preference by his ballot. He attends the
Baptist church, although he is not connected through membership with any
denomination. Fraternally he is associated with the Modern Woodmen and with the
Farmers' Alliance. His interest in public affairs is deep and sincere and has
led him to co-operate in many measures for the general good, but his chief
attention is given to his business, which is carefully managed so that he is
counted one of the leading resident farmers. The accompanying group shows four
generations, the four gentlemen sitting down being the great-grandfathers of the
children, whose father is M. A. Darr, and their grandfathers are G. W. Darr and
S. G. Bass. (The picture mentioned was in the book as were pictures of G. W.
Darr and his wife.)
In this excerpt and another for his father
George Darr, one has George and Rebecca born in York county, PA
and the other as natives of Lancaster county, PA.
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