James W. Coe

As printed in 1902

JAMES WESLEY COE.

James W. Coe, the late efficient county infirmary director, is descended from good old Revolutionary ancestry, and the family has long been one of prominence in this state. His paternal great-grandfather, Philip Coe. served throughout the struggle for independence, and he also assisted in throwing overboard the tea into the Boston harbor. He became a prominent land owner and agent in Marshall county. West Virginia, and there he spent the remainder of his days. He became the father of two sons, Isaac and Philip, and the former became the grandfather of our subject. He reared a family of fifteen children, who settled over different parts of the United

States, and during the Civil war they were represented in both the Confederate and Federal armies. John Coe, the father of him whose name introduces this review, served with distinction throughout the struggle between the north and the south, as did also three of his sons. As a companion for the journey of life he those Matilda a daughter of John Newland, and the latter married a Van Rensaellaer, of Wellington, Delaware.

James Wesley Coe, a son of this worthy couple, removed from. West Virginia to Ohio in 1866. When the Civil war was inaugurated he was then but a lad of seventeen years, but he nobly offered his services to his country, and for three years he was a brave and gallant defender of the cause which he exposed. He became a member of Company A, Twelfth West Virginia Infantry, enlisting for service in 1862, and during his military career he participated in twelve regular battles, among them being the battle of Appomattox. For a time he was confined as a prisoner of war at Libby and Belle Island, and also participated in the taking of Fort Craig, which was the last fort taken during the war. Mr. Coe is no'W a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Mount Vernon, in which he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades.

After hostilities had ceased Mr. Coe returned to his home with a most creditable military record, and once more took up the quiet duties of civil life. In 1870 he took up his residence in Jackson township, Knox county, where he made his home until 1886, and in that year he came to Mount Vernon, which has ever since been his home. For twenty-two years he was engaged in the operation of a sawmill, on the expiration of which period, in 1892, he was elected to the position of director of the county infirmary, and so well did he discharge the duties resting upon him in that office that in 1898 he was again elected, and has but recently closed his connection with that institution. He has also filled other offices of trust and responsibility, having been the choice of his party for the position of trustee of Jackson township in 1884, and in the following year he was made constable and assessor of that township, while for four years he served as school director. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and he merits and receives the respect and esteem of all who know him.

In Coshocton county, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of IMr. Coe and Miss Sarah Fry, then a young lady of twenty years, and two years his junior. She is a native of that county and a daughter of William Fry, who came to this state from Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with three children: William, a mechanic of Mount Vernon, and whose wife was Sarah Krumlauf; Alvaretta, the wife of Bruce Gleason, also of this city; and lonJt, the wife of Bryant Mann, of Mount Vernon. The family are members of the Methodist church.

ADAM HIDER DARfLING.

Much has been said and written about the sterling stock of the Old Dominion and its influence upon the settlement and development of all parts of the United States; but the half has never been told and nothing like a complete story ever will be told except in the aggregate of accounts of the lives and achievements of representatives of Virginian families in every state of the Union. Ohio, because of its proximity to the grand old state which has become known as the "mother of presidents," has received a generous share of virile Virginian blood and her citizens have reason to congratulate themselves because of that fact. Knox county received many Virginian pioneers and among them was the father of the subject of this sketch.

Adam H. Darling, a retired farmer, of Bladensburg, Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio, was born in Knox county on Christmas day, of 1821, a son of Abrara Darling, who was born in Virginia March 29, 1780, and came to Knox county with his father, William Darling, the grandfather of Adam H. Darling, in 1806. William Darling was born in Virginia in 1756 and served the cause of the colonies during the entire period of the Revolutionary war as a gallant and devoted soldier, participating in many historic engagements, including those at Cowpens and King's Mountain.

Abram Darling, father of the subject of this sketch, bought land in Butler township in 1806 and when he became one of the pioneers of Knox county. He was married in 1808 to Rhoda Shrimplin, who was born and reared in Maryland and who bore him fourteen children, three of whom died in infancy and three are yet living, of whom Adam H. is the third in order of nativity. These children were named as follows: Sophia, Patrick M., Margaret, William, Jane, Lydia, Adam H., Mary, Milan, Angus, Jackson, Walter, Amos and Caroline. Those who are living are William, Jackson and Adam H.

Adam H. Darling was reared and educated in Butler township, and on February 25, 1843, married Martha Strong, who was born in Maryland August i, 1824, and had been brought from her native state by her parents, who were among the early settlers in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. Darling have had born to them twelve children, one of whom died in infant)'. The names of the others are as follows: Telitha, Thurza, Sullivan, Grace, Nink, Patience, Shrimplin, Charles, Jackson, Perry and George W.

In 1897 Mr. Darling sold his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and retired from active life. As a Democrat he has taken a leading part in public affairs and for six years filled the office of trustee of Jackson township.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.