Jacob Darst 1821-1906, continued

The following excerpt is from the 1884 Illustrated History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio ...

Biographical Sketches:

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP

JACOB DARST, proprietor of canal boat, New Philadelphia, was born in 1821 in Lancaster, Ohio. His father, Daniel Darst, died when our subject was but a small boy, and he then lived with his mother until he was eleven years of age, when he came to New Philadelphia and learned the blacksmith trade with his uncle, Simon Beck.

Mr. Darst was married in 1842 to Margaret Humrickhouse, a native of Germany, and by this union were born two children - Simon H. and John. After marriage, our subject settled in Lockport, Ohio, in 1842, carrying on a blacksmith's shop of his own.

In 1850, he bought a canal boat called "D Talmadge", and has since that date been occupied in transportation on the canal. He owned various boats, his present being the "Levi Sargent".

Mrs. Darst died in 1853, and Mr. Darst subsequently married Anna Sedgwick in 1855. This marriage has resulted in a family of seven children, viz.: Ida, Margaret, Bessie, Mary (deceased), Jacob, Thomas, and an infant (deceased).

In 1861, Mr. Darst enlisted in the Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was color bearer, carrying the flag which was presented to the regiment by the ladies of New Philadelphia, and which he has now in his possession. He took part in the engagements at Iuka, Corinth, and Jackson, and at the seige of Vicksburg and the battles of Mission Ridge and Chattanooga. In the last engagement, our subject was wounded in the left arm, which has been thereby disabled. He received an honorable discharge, at Columbus, Ohio, in April, 1865.

Mr. Darst is a member of the Lutheran Church. He resides at Blake's Mills.