Adam T. Darr

ADAM T. DARR. Among the reliable business men of West Newton, Pennsylvania, is Adam T. Darr, born at the borough just named, February 22, 1840, son of G. Adam and Christena (Kolbe) Darr, both natives of Germany.

The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, about 1804, and died at West Newton, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1819. He learned the trade of carpenter, and later emigrated to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, about 1826. After a short sojourn in that city, he went to 'Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade a short time and then removed to South Huntingdon township of this county, and later to Rostraver township. Subsequently he moved to the borough of West Newton, where he followed carpentering and building the remainder of his life, dying in 1879. His wife survived him until 1884. Both are buried in the old West Newton cemetery. The children born to G. Adam and Christena (Kolbe) Darr were as follows: The first two died young - one at sea while sailing for America. 3. Catherine, born in Germany, married Christian Olbey: she is now a widow residing in Kansas. 4. Henry. died 1872. 5. John C., now of Emporia Kansas, a farmer by occupation ; he served during the Civil war as a member of the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry Regiment for three years. 6. -Mary, now residing at the old Darr homestead in West Newton, Pennsylvania. 7. Adam. T., born February 22, 1840, at West Newton. 8. Daniel F., a carpenter of West Newton, who was a member of the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves in time of the rebellion and served faithfully for three years. 9. Lucetta C., married John Olbey. of West Newton. G. Adam Darr and wife were exemplary members of the United Brethren church, and in politics he was a supporter of the Republican party.

Adam T. Darr obtained a good common school education at West Newton, and when twenty-two years of age. August 22, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment of Infantry, serving in the. Union cause within the Army of the Potomac until the close of the great civil war, being honorably discharged June 29, 1865. May 3, 1863, he was seriously wounded at the memorable battle of Chancellorsville, and was in the hospital at Washington and later at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After having sufficiently recovered to enter into active service he again joined his old command, and remained a true soldier until the close of the great conflict. Upon his return from the army, having seen much hard service, he resumed the peaceful calling of a civilian by taking up the trade of a carpenter and builder, in which he continued until about 1890, when he was appointed to the office of postmaster at West Newton by President Benjamin Harrison, serving for four years. In a year or two after retiring from the duties of postmaster Mr. Darr engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which he still follows in a successful manner. He is, and ever has been, a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has been honored with many local offices, including that of assessor, tax-collector, borough councilman and member of the Republican county committee. Since 1894 he has been secretary and trustee of the West Newton Cemetery Association, and from 1898 has been the secretary of the West Newton Building and Loan Association. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been on the official board and trustee and treasurer of the West Newton Methodist Church. Among the various civic and fraternal societies to which he has belonged, he is now identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Blythe Lodge, No. 593, at West Newton; Chapter No. 282, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; Lodge No. 44o, I. O. O. F., at West Newton; Royal Arcanum, No. 65, and J. C. Markle Grand Army Post, No. 623, of West Newton.

Mr. Darr married April 30, 1872, at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Mary Frances Luker, (laughter of David and Harriet Luker. The father of Mrs. Darr is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. David Luker had children: B. F., a merchant of Kittanning. Captain J. Frank, a steamboat captain. Jennie A., wife of J. P. Hamilton; she is deceased. Mary Frances, wife of Adam T. Darr. Sadie deceased. D. W., now of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Amy E., at home in Allegheny City.  

Source: Page(s) 223-224, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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