OBIT: James DARNLEY, 1942, formerly of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JAMES DARNLEY

Mr. Darnley, 79, Called By Death
Remains Brought Here From Jenkins, Ky., For Burial Friday

  James Darnley, aged 79 years, for nearly half a century a resident and 
respected citizen of Meyersdale, died Monday at the home of his son and 
daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Darnley, at Jenkins, Kentucky, where he had 
been visiting since Christmas Day.
  Mr. Darnley, a son of the late John and Catherine (Mackey) Darnley, was born 
September 15, 1862 in Pekin, Md., where he was engaged with his father in the 
mining of coal in the Georges Creek region of Maryland.  Before he had arrived 
at the age of majority for a time the family resided in Meyersdale in the brick 
dwelling house on the corner of Center Street and Broadway, which served as the 
parsonage of the Lutheran church, and which was razed when the present church 
edifice was in course of construction and the present parsonage on Front Street 
was purchased.  During their brief residence here Mr. Darnley and his son dug 
coal in what was then known as the Shaw Mine.
  Later, however, Mr. Darnley was united in marriage with Miss Edith Guthrie, a 
daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Guthrie, who conducted the hotel known 
as the Keystone House, Salisbury Street.  Shortly following their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Darnley took up their residence in Meyersdale, and it was about this 
time that Mr. Darnley became a fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and in 
due course of time was promoted to the position of engineer which he held until 
the time of his retirement several years ago.
  Mr. Darnley was several times honored by the voters of Meyersdale with 
election as a member of the borough council, and also served as president of 
that body.  He was also an active and influential member of the Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Engineers, Connellsville Division.  He also held membership in Zion 
Evangelical Church and of Meyersdale Lodge No. 554 Free and Accepted Masons.  
Before leaving Lonaconing he was actively identified with the volunteer fire 
department of that city, which organization frequently visited Meyersdale upon 
gala occasion, participating in the scheduled drills and contests, usually 
winning their share of the premiums.
  Mrs. Darnley passed away about two years ago in the family home, Naugle 
Apartments, and since then Mr. Darnley's health began to decline, and within the 
past year his condition at times was quite critical until last Monday when death 
came to relieve him of his suffering.  Surviving are two sons, C. L. Darnley, 
Jenkins, Ky.; and Robert Darnley, Cumberland, Md.  One brother, David Darnley, 
of Lonaconing, and five sisters, Mrs. Jane Trumbull, Mrs. Kate Harding, Mrs. 
Christina Doolan, Lonaconing, and Mrs. Nettie Brethany and Mrs. Maud McFarland, 
Cumberland, Md.; also survive.
  Mr. Darnley, during his long residence here made many friends who always held 
him in the highest esteem.  He possessed numerous outstanding qualities, among 
them generosity and helpfulness, to which he freely exercised when opportunity 
offered, and as such he will always be remembered by the many with whom he came 
in contact.
  The body was brought to Meyersdale on Wednesday evening and taken to the Price 
Funeral Home, on Main Street, where it lay in state until this (Friday) 
afternoon at 2 o'clock, when funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. 
Howard K. Hilner, pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Interment in 
Union Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price and Son, Meyersdale 
morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, January 29, 1942