Obit: Darling, Harry F. (1877 - 1953)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Darling, O’Neill, Douglas, Covill, Campbell, Campman, marsh, North 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) July 23, 1953  
 

Darling, Harry F. (6 February 1877 - 14 July 1953) 
 

Grandson of Founder Interred - Harry F. Darling, Dying in Eau Claire, is Buried in the O’Neill Plot 
 

Harry F. Darling, grandson of James O’Neill, founder of Neillsville, was interred Saturday afternoon in the Neillsville City Cemetery.  His body lies in the family plot shared by the O’Neills, the Douglases and at least one Covill.  
 

Harry Darling died in Eau Claire Tuesday, July 14. He was 76 years of age, having been born in Neillsville February 6, 1877.  He was the son of Frank E. Darling and Maria D. O’Neill.  Maria was the second of two daughters, born to the James O’Neills. 
 

The Frank Darlings lived in Neillsville, occupying a residence on about the same site as the present Skroch home. Frank Darling was a cobbler, having a little shop at the front of the same lot.  Old-timers recall that he also carried a small stock of candy. 
 

Harry was a Conductor 
 

Upon the death of the Founder, his will gave to his daughter Maria, Mrs. Darling, five lots running along O’Neill Creek, the first of which was the site of the O’Neill residence.   
 

The son Harry was a railroad man, residing in Eau Claire.  He was a member of the order of Railway Conductors, a United Spanish War veteran and a member of all Masonic bodies up to and including the 32^nd.  He is survived by his widow, Mayme J. Darling of Eau Claire; by Ormond T. Darling, son, of Moses Lake, Wash. by three grandchildren and by a sister, Belle J. Campbell, of Woodacres, Calif. 
 

The burial party was due at the cemetery at 3:30, and arrangements had been made for the attendance of local Masons.  But the funeral party arrived early, and the interment had been concluded before the appointed hour of arrival.  Hence the local honors were done by William A. Campman, who represented the Spanish-American veterans, by W. J. Marsh, Herman North and Gus North, and possibly a few others. 
 

The graveside rites were Masonic, as were the funeral services in Eau Claire, being held in the Masonic Temple. 
 

Mr. Darling was a member of old Company A in the Spanish-American War. The Spanish War post of Eau Claire presented a flag to Mrs. Darling at the grave.