Caledonia

DARLING, Jonathan R. & R. Nelson

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 94-95 
(portrait p 95)

J. R. DARLING, of Groton, was born 16 November 1823 in Groton [Caledonia 
County, Vermont], son of John and Jeannette (BROCK) DARLING. [The given name 
of J. R. DARLING is either Jonathan Robert or Jonathan Robards.] Receiving 
his education at the Peacham and Danville Academies [both in Caledonia 
County], Mr. DARLING resolved to follow a business career, and through a long 
and honorable life has strictly devoted himself to mercantile and 
agricultural pursuits. From 1847 to 1857 he was a member of the firm of 
Welch, Darling & Clark in the town of Groton. Since that time he has been 
engaged in general trade, lumbering and farming, an in 1883 he entered into a 
copartnership with his sons under the firm name of Jonathan R. Darling & 
Sons. Their business has been carried on in Peacham and Groton, Mr. DARLING 
owning and running a large saw mill in Groton.

An old-time Whig until 1856, Mr. DARLING joined the Republican party at the 
period of its formation, and is an ardent advocate of the protection of 
American labor and industries. He has held many offices of trust and 
responsibility; has been town clerk for thirty-three years; was 
representative to the Legislature in 1857 to 1858, and state senator in 1880 
to 1881. He was chosen assistant judge of Caledonia County in 1869, which 
position he held for three successive years.

On 01 July 1849 Judge [J. R.] DARLING was united in marriage to Sarah M., 
daughter of John and Phebe (HEATH) TAISEY [note the biography of Robert 
Nelson DARLING gives his mother's maiden name as Sarah Maria TAILEY], of 
Groton [Caledonia County, Vermont]. Eight children have been born to them, 
of whom six are still living: Cyrus T., Evalona, John T., Robards N. [Robert 
Nelson?], Elmer E., and Walter Brock. Judge DARLING has never been a member 
of any secret or social society.

Biography of Robert Nelson DARLING [son of Jonathan R.]

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 164

Robert [Robards?] Nelson DARLING, merchant, Groton, was born 09 May 1859 at 
Groton [Caledonia County, Vermont], son of Jonathan Robert and Sarah Maria 
(TAILEY) DARLING. [Note in the above biography of J. R. DARLING that the 
maiden name of the mother is given as TAISEY, and that Robert Nelson is 
listed as "Robards N.," which raises the question as to whether Jonathan 
Robert DARLING should perhaps be Jonathan Robards DARLING.] Educated in the 
public schools and Newbury Seminary. Manufactured lumber extensively for 
thirty years, and is now a merchant in partnership with R. D. SHERRY in a 
general store at Bradford [Orange County, Vermont]. Is the original owner of 
Darling trout pond, largest in the state, now owned by Hon. Theodore N. VAIL, 
in his game and timber preserve. Republican; represented Groton in the 
Legislature 1908; chairman and village trustee 1907; first selectman of 
Groton 1908. Member of Pulaski Lodge No. 58, Free & Accepted Masons, of 
Wells River [Orange County]; Chapter Lodge of Bradford [Orange County]; 
Caledonia Lodge No. 15, Knights of Pythias, of Groton [Caledonia County], and 
Groton Grange No. 443. In 1891 Mr. [R. Nelson] DARLING married Valetta M. 
PAINE of Southbridge [Worcester County], Massachusetts; they have two 
daughters, Ruth Maria and Evalona Jessie.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly