COLLIN COUNTY, TX - OBITUARIES - Joseph Rogers DARNALL http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/collin/collintoc.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/collin/collintoc.htm#obits Contributed by: Kathy Wilcox, , 2 February 2003 McKinney Courier Gazette August 14, 1909 R. C. Horn PIONEER GONE; GOOD CITIZEN Elder Joseph R. Darnall was born in Bourbon county, Ky., Sept. 18, 1842, and died at his home 10 miles northwest from McKinney, Aug. 12, 1909. He was reared on a farm and educated at Bethany College, Va., while Alexander Campbell was its president. He was graduated from the institution in 1863 when just nearing his 21st birthday. For two years after graduation he was tutor in Greek and Latin in this college. In October 1866 he was married to Mary E. Thomas and soon after came to Texas and settled in Collin county, on a small farm which he purchased and upon which he lived until his Master called him up higher. In 1868 he began preaching as a minister in the Christian church. He and the writer of this sketch began to preach the same years, preaching together some during the summer of 1868. As a farmer he was a model and quite successful and kept adding to his first purhase until his tract contained 400 acres of as fine land as is found in this county. He reared on this farm seven children five sons and two daughters. Carl R., his eldest son, is now a surgeon in the U.S. Army with rank of Major, and detailed at Washington. Margaret T., wife of County Attorney George P. Brown of this city is his oldest daughter. John T., his second son, is on a fine farm given him by his parents, and is considered a model farmer. Geo. W. lives on his farm in Wise county. He married Miss Exie Holmes of Aubrey, sister of Eugene Holmes, minister for Christian church at Plano. William Douglas Darnall, his fourth son, a graduate of Kentucky University, and also of the Bible College, both at Lexingtonk Ky., is a talented and popular preacher in the Christian church. He is now located at Guthrie, Ky. He was while in Texas the minister for the Christian church at Pilot Point. Miss Henrietta, his youngest daughter, lives with her mother in the home now left without a father. Moses Hubbard, the youngest son, is now a practicing physician in Washington City. While Eld. Darnall himself a graduage of the oldest college among the people whom he represented religiously, chose the farmer life, he never lost his interest in education, but gave each one of his seven children four years college course and always advanced the cause of educatioin. As a preacher J. R. Darnall stood high in the estimation of the religious people of all churches where he was known. He was in demand on funeral occasions without regard to church relation. Before he lost his hearing he often preached at places in Collin and in adjoining counties. He preached regularly for awhile at Mantua, Melissa, Weston, Bethany, Vineland, McKinney and several other places. He finally ceased to go abroad and became the settled pastor for Corinth church near where he lived. He was one of the best read men in the county and a fine historian. His memory retained the facts of history to an exceptional degree. He was a great friend of education and was frequently called to deliver college addresses. He delivered a lecture before the graduating class of the agricultural and mechanical college at Bryan, Texas, some years since. Eld. Darnall's last illness was only for a few hours. On Wednesday evening he did the chores as usual, milking the cow and seemed as lively as usual, but soon after supper he complained of his left arm feeling numb and paining him. His wife rubbed the arm, but he grew worse and finally took a chill and after sitting in a rocker with coat and overcoat on he was persuaded to lie down on the bed. His wife and daughter were the only persons present and ran to a neighbor's to phone for a physician and on their return he had passed to his final sleep. They gave the alarm and soon the nearby neighbors came to their relief. He had spoken years ago to Bro. J. B. Faulkner, a personal friend, to conduct his funeral. Bro. Faulkner having moved to Quanah, he recently requested Bro. Hugh McClellan to take Bro. Faulkner's place, promising him that in case he (Hugh McClellan) died first, he would preach his funeral. To comply with this request a mesage was sent to Josephine where Bro. McClellan was in a meeting, and at 4:10 a.m. he left for McKinney and thence, accompanied by Bro. E. H. Holmes, of Plano, he came to Cottage Hill in time for the funeral at 3:30. A long procession followed the hearse from the residence to the M.E. church at Cottage Hill cemetery where a large audience had already assembled. After the large church was crowded full, a large number stood at the door and windows. The funeral service was opened by a song followed by the reading of the Scriptures by Bro. E. H. Holmes, after which the writer lead the people in prayer. Bro. E. H. Holmes gave a ten minutes' talk on the influences of such a life on a community. Bro. Darnall, being his father in the gospel. Bro. McClellan then delivered the funeral discourse which was an earnest and eloquent presentation of the noble life of Bro. Darnall. During his discourse he read a letter from President Alexander Campbell testifying to the noble character of the subject as a student and teacher. He also produced letters of commendation from professors W. K. Pendleton, Robert Milligan and Charles Louis Loos who were his teachers at Bethany and Eld. Darnall prized these because he had lived worthy of them. Prof. Loos afterward became president of Kentucky University, and Bro. Darnall sent his five sons to that college. When we think of a graduate of a great college locating upon a farm and while raising his salary by labor, preaching the gospel to his neighbors and in many other communities and sending seven children to college four years each, we see the greatness of the man. Truly a great man in Isreal has fallen. At the grave, Capt. W. H. Love, for years a near neighbor, gave eloquent testimony to the true character as a man. ********************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************