Pope County ArArchives Biographies.....Darr, J. E. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 17, 2009, 10:48 am Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) J. E. DARR. J. E. Darr, an enterprising merchant of Atkins, is today the oldest native born resident of the city. Here his birth occurred October 17, 1870, his parents being James F. and Mary Jane (Hearne) Darr. The father was born in Lincoln county, North Carolina. on the 3d of June, 1841, and died August 7, 1894. His father, who was born in North Carolina, died in that state, and the mother, Mrs. Ann Darr, afterward came to Arkansas. It was in the year 1858 that James F. Darr arrived in Pope county and settled on a farm. He purchased considerable land and added to his holdings from time to time until he had large property interests in this part of the state. He also engaged in merchandising and was conducting a store at the time of his demise. He started out in the world empty-handed but hy persistent effort and unfaltering energy worked his way steadily upward and became one of the prosperous residents of his section of the state. In early manhood he joined the Confederate army and served for four years with the southern troops, being twice wounded during that period. He was always a democrat in his political views and he served as the first mayor of Atkins. Fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Pythias. It was near Atkins in 1867 that he wedded Mary Jane Hearne, who was born December 5, 1849, a daughter of Joshua Hearne, who was born in South Carolina and was one of the pioneer settlers of Arkansas. His people came originally from Ireland, while the Darr family was of Scotch lineage. Mrs. Mary J. Darr died May 21, 1920, and during her life was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Like her husband she enjoyed the high esteem and goodwill of many friends throughout this part of the state. They became the parents of nine children, of whom four are living: J. E.; W. E., who is a farmer of Atkins; R. W., a physician, practicing in Atkins; and Irl R., who is a merchant engaged in business with his brother, J. E. Darr. The public school system of Atkins afforded J. E. Darr his educational opportunities. His early business training was received in his father's store—in fact, he has been connected with the store from the age of eleven years. The business is now conducted under the firm style of Darr & Darr, the brothers carrying an extensive line of general merchandise and conducting a large and profitable business. Together they also own fifteen hundred acres of land, which they have acquired since the father's death. They are men of marked business enterprise, displaying almost intuitive wisdom in the conduct of their affairs and their determination and diligence are the substantial qualities which have brought to them well earned success. J. E. Darr devotes his entire time to his store and his farm. He and his brother also buy cotton and handled about twenty-five hundred bales in 1920. Their store is a commodious and well stocked establishment aud they have a large business, which is the merited reward of their close application and sound judgment. On the 22d of April, 1894, J. E. Darr was married to Miss Susie Nugent, who was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1871, a daughter of Joseph Nugent, who removed to Canada from Ireland in 1868 and in 1873 brought his family to Arkansas, his daughter, Mrs. Darr, being then but two years of age. He was a farmer and also operated a ferry in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Darr have become parents of two children: Leta, who was graduated from Galloway College at Searcy, Arkansas, and from the Bush Conservatory of Music in Chicago, is now head of the music department in the public schools of Atkins; Alta is the wife of Thomas A. Watkins, president of the Bank of Searcy at Searcy, Arkansas. She was also graduated from Galloway College at Searcy and from the Bush Conservatory in Chicago. She became a teacher of voice and had taught for two terms in Galloway when she met Mr. Watkins and was married. Mrs. Darr and her daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Darr is a Mason, also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has filled all of the offices in the Knights of Pythias lodge and he is at all times faithful to the teachings and high purposes of these different fraternal societies. In politics he is a democrat and has served as mayor of Atkins, loyally advocating every plan that has to do with the city's uphuilding. He is widely recognized as a most public-spirited man' and one whose entire record is a credit to one of the most honored family names in this section of the state. His worth is widely acknowledged as he has long been a dynamic factor in the business development of Pope county, nor has he ever been unmindful of the duties and obligations of citizenship. On the contrary his support has been a valued asset in public progress and he belongs to that class of men who have been most active in upholding the civic, legal and moral standards of the community. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/pope/bios/darr190bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb