The Family of JOSEPH DARROW AND PAMELIA
WHITE
Early Settlers in Summit Township, Juneau County, WI
Contributed by Dean C. Hagen
The Joseph Darrow family in New York, 1803 - 1852.
The county of Oneida can be found in West Central New York State. In 1803 the township of Ley-den was a part of that county. Joseph Darrow was born 29 June 1803 in Leyden Township, Oneida County 1. He was the eleventh child born to Ammirus and Sarah Darrow. Then in 1805 the township of Leyden was divided and a part of it became known as Boonville. Also in that year Oneida County was divided to form the counties of Lewis and Jefferson. The township of Leyden became a part of Lewis County. So by the time that Joseph was two years old he was living in Boonville Township, Oneida County, NY.
Nothing is known at present on how Joseph spent his early life. His father died when he was about 21 years of age. Because there were so many children in the family he probably left home prior to that time. By 1830 he has married and living in Henderson, Jefferson, NY 2. Prior to 1850 the only name that appeared on the census forms in each family was that of the head of household. The remainder of the family was shown only by gender and the number of persons within a certain age limit. On the 1830 cen-sus it indicates that Joseph and his family are living in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, NY. This location would be about 55 miles northwest of where he was born. The township borders Lake Ontario. His family consists of himself, between the age of 20 - 30; a female, assuming his wife, age between 20 - 30; and a male son less than 5 years of age. That means that Joseph probably married between 1825 and 1830, but it was probably closer to 1830. The birth place of Pamelia (I will use this name hereafter since this is the name that was normally given to the census taker.) is either the State of Delaware or Delaware County, NY. On one census she stated she was born in Delaware and on another she reported it as New York. There is a Delaware County in New York and so she may have given the county she was born in rather than the state on the census. On the 1820 Federal Census for Delaware County, NY, there were 9 families with the surname of White living in that county. I have not been able to locate either of Pamelia's parents.
I failed to find the Joseph Darrow family in the 1840 Federal Census for New York. The IG files at the Family History Center indicates that Louisa Darrow, their daughter, was born in St Theresa township, Jefferson County in 1840. However the 1840 census for Jefferson does not show a St Theresa township. Preliminary investigation showed that a Theresa township was formed in 1840 and perhaps that was after the census was conducted. Research is still being conducted in this area. By 1850, Joseph and his family were living in Watertown, Jefferson, NY 3. This is the first census that shows all the names of the family and gives more personal information about them. Each member of the family who is living in the household at the time of the census are listed.
The results of this census shows that Joseph is a farmer, He must have been renting a farm or working for someone because there is no real estate value amount listed. The family on the census con-sists of Joseph, age 45; Pamelia, age 40; Newton, age 11; Frances, age 8; Emmett, age 5. The ages for Joseph and Pamelia are not correct but they work themselves out in later census. There are three other children, Wallace, Dempster and Louisa that are not listed. Wallace, who was the eldest of the children, and the one child reported on the 1830 census does not appear on this report. Other researchers have stated that he died at an early age, date and cause is still unknown 4. This has not been confirmed but I believe it is probably true. Another page of the 1850 census show a Dempster Darrow, age 14, working for a Jeremiah Parker in Watertown, Jefferson, NY5 and a Louisa Darrow is listed as living with the Lyles (?) family in Rutland, Jefferson, NY6. The record appears to show that she is 16 years of age but the handwriting is bad and it may be 10 years of age. The 10 years of age would be correct. Whether she is working for this family, (Jay B. and Olive A. Lyles) as a servant or just living with them is not known.
The move to Wisconsin.
John Armstrong, wrote a family history entitled "An Armstrong Ancestry". Dempster Darrow married into a member of the Armstrong Ancestry. Mr. Armstrong wrote the following about the Joseph Darrow family in his family history.
"Joseph Darrow, born NY State about 1803, left New York State in the fall of 1852, coming through the Lakes to Milwaukee, arriving in Summit (my note: this in Adams County but became a part of Juneau County when it was formed in 1855.) in October where he settled and built the house where Dempster Darrow now (1889) lives. Demp was sailing on the Lakes at the time and had not been home since spring and did not know of the move of the family but by accident met his father on the street in Detroit where they had laid over a day and thus found where he was going; he followed in the spring of 1854." 7
I wonder what would have happened if, the father, Joseph had not just by chance met his son, Dempster, that day in Detroit. Poor old Demp, as Mr. Armstong called him, may still be running around trying to find his family.
The Joseph Darrow family in Wisconsin.
By the fall of 1852 Joseph Darrow and his family were settled in Summit, Juneau, WI. They had come through the lakes to Milwaukee and then by some means had moved from there to Summit town-ship in Juneau County. Finally Joseph was a landowner, how he obtained the farm is unknown but the 1860 census indicates that he owns property. He built a house on the farm that eventually Dempster, his eldest son, would take over. It indicates that the real estate value of his farm is $400 and he has a per-sonal estate of $100. Joseph and Pamelia are listed as being 57 and 54 respectively. The only children living at home are Dempster and Emmett. Dempster is 23 and Emmett is 13.8 It is believed that Newton by this date has died since other research sources indicate that he died early in life. Frances and Louisa have married. Individual summaries on the children will appear later in the report.
Apparently Joseph Darrow and his wife, Pamelia, lived in Summit during the next 10 years, content with their farm and as members of their community. Joseph had a brother, Henry A. Darrow, that was a farmer and lived in Winfield Township, Sauk County, WI. The distance between their two farms would have been about 15 to 20 miles. I am sure there were times in which they visited back and forth, espe-cially, during weddings or for funerals. The mother of Joseph and Henry, Sarah Fisher Darrow, lived in Sauk county with the family of her son, Henry. Sarah may have come west with Joseph's family when they came to Wisconsin. She died in Winfield, Sauk County December 6, 1856 at the age of 92 years. She is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Reedsburg.
The 1870 Federal Census for Summit township shows that there is very little change from 1860 ex-cept they are 10 years older, their real estate value is only $300 and their personal estate is $200. Dempster and Emmett are still living at home, unmarried. Their grandson, listed on the census as Mar-shall Weber, (his real name is Charles Marshall Webber), is living with them on the farm. He is 8 years old. This would have been shortly after his mother, Frances, daughter of Joseph and Pamelia, died in Black River Falls 9.
By 1880, Dempster was married and had taken over the family farm. His father, Joseph, is 78 years of age and is shown as living with his son, Dempster's family. Emmett is also married and is living on another farm in Summit township 10. Pamelia is not listed on the census so she probably died prior to 1880.
The Children of Joseph and Pamelia White Darrow.
Wallace Darrow
Wallace was born in Henderson, Jefferson, NY between 1825 and 1830. He is
listed on the 1830 Census as been a male less than 5 years old. He does not
appear as a member of the family on the 1850 census. Other sources state
that Wallace died at a young age.
Dempster Darrow
In 1837 the Joseph Darrow family was living in Hounsfeld, Jefferson, NY.
Dempster was born there November 30. The 1850 census for Watertown, Jefferson,
NY lists Dempster, age 14, working for Jeremiah Parker. At some point he
became a sailor on the Great Lakes. This was probably just after 1850 and
he made that his occupation until the summer of 1854. In this year he joined
his father and mother on their farm in Summit Township, Juneau County, WI.
It has already been reported on how Dempster found out about his parents
move to Wisconsin. That chance meeting in the city of Detroit the summer
of 1852 was the only thing that let Dempster know where his family was going.
In 1860 he is listed as 23 years old and living with his parents on their
farm in Juneau County.
Dempster enlisted May 25, 1864 at Milwaukee, WI for service during the Civil War. The following report was found in listed source:
He was recruited by E. Chamberlin for the term of 100 days and was mustered in on June 3, 1864 at Camp Washburn at the age of 24. Dempster had blue eyes, sandy hair, light complexion and was 6 feet tall. His occupation was postmaster. His town of resi-dence was Mauston and county was Juneau. He was assigned to Company I, 39th Regi-ment with the rank of Corporal..
There is no indication that he saw any combat and his service record carried the following remarks:
"Roll quoted M.I.-M.O. left sick at soldiers rest Chicago Sept. '64-Orig. Disch. Cert. oriented A.I.O. 1/29/85 shows that Dempster Darrow was discharged on the 28th day of October, 1864 at Chicago, Ill. By reason of surg. cert. of disability on acct. of debility re-sulting from typhoid fever and expiration of term of service. Born in Boonesville, N.Y. Disch'd as corporale." 11
After returning from his military duties he returned to the farm and was living there in 1870, with a listed age of 31. On 29 November, 1874, Dempster married Susanna Cornwell. Anna, as she was called, was born in 1855 and at the date of her marriage was living in Reedsburg, Sauk County, WI. She died in 1929.
Children of Dempster and Susanna Darrow
1 F Bernice Estella Marion DARROW, Birth: Apr 10 1874 Summit, Juneau, WI
Spouse: Herman Clark CHRISTMAN and Spouse: William F. ARMSTRONG
2 M Wallace Park DARROW, Birth: 1875, Death: 1955 Juneau County, WI
Burial: 1955 Evergreen Cemetery, Lindinia, Juneau Cty
3 M Dempster Durwood DARROW Jr., Birth: 1877 Death: 1946 Juneau County,
WI
Burial: 1946 Evergreen Cemetery, Lindinia, Juneau Cty
4 M Edwin DARROW, Birth: 1880, Spouse: Tina HESS
5 F Louise (Eloise) Adelaide DARROW, Birth: 1881, Spouse: Frank STENZEL
6 M Irwin Ezra DARROW, Birth: 1883
7 F Charlotte (Lottie) Ariadna DARROW, Birth: 1884, Spouse: Charles DUBOIS
8 F Susanna DARROW, Birth: 1885, Death: 1929 Juneau County, WI, Burial: 1929
Evergreen Cemetery, Lindinia, Juneau Cty
9 M Burke Clarence DARROW, Birth: 1886, Death: 1968 Juneau County, WI
Burial: 1968 Evergreen Cemetery, Lindinia, Juneau Cty, Military: Pvt. 115th
Guard Co. ASC WWI
10 M James White DARROW, Birth: 1890, Burial: 1978 Evergreen Cemetery, Lindinia,
Juneau Cty, Death: Aug 8 1978 Juneau County, WI, Spouse: Gladys OAKES
11 M Vernon LeRoy DARROW, Birth: 1893, Spouse: Flora HUGGETT
Death of Dempster Durwood Darrow
The following was published in the Juneau County Chronicle, Mauston, WI, Thursday, November 7, 1895.
DEMPSTER DARROW KILLED.
Struck by an engine Friday on Elm Street Crossing.
He lay unconscious until Monday when he died. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery
with Masonic Honors.
People on the street were shocked, Friday evening, by the intelligence brought
up town by railroad employes that a passing engine had struck a man at the
Elm street crossing. A crowd hastily gathered at the spot when it was learned
that the unfortunate was Dempster Darrow, an old resident of the town of
Summit. He was placed on a cot and conveyed to Dr. Smith's office where an
examination was made of his injuries and later he was borne to rooms over
J. H. Upton's restaurant where he breathed his last, Monday, about 10 a.m.
Mr Darrow came to the city about 4 o'clock, Friday afternoon, and after transacting some business, started to drive home, about 6 o'clock. When near the residence of James Allaby the whiffletrees to his buggy broke and leaving the rig by the roadside he drove the team to the city. He had nearly reached the crossing when he became aware of the engine bearing down upon him and quickening the pace of the team he attempted to cross. With a second more of tiem he would have accomplished this in safety, but be-fore the one step could be taken that would have removed him from danger, the engine struck him and his form was hurled through the air alighting in the ditch, at a spot sixty-eight feet distant. When discovered he was unconsious and so remained until he died. It was found that his infuries consisted of numerous bruises and three broken ribs on his left side, but it is thought that death was caused from concussion of the brain. The fu-neral took place, Wednesday, from the chapel in Stewart's settlement, under the aus-pices of the Masonic lodge of this city and the body was interred in the Evergreen cemetery at Stewart's settlement.
Mr. Darrow always joked about his age and no one knows exactly but from the best information received he was 60 years old. He was born in Jefferson county, New York and came to Wisconsin in 1854 locating in the town of Summit where he has since re-sided. Always taking a deep interest in public affairs he has held many public offices, among them being county surveyor, deputy sheriff, postmaster and supervisor. Once he was a candidate for member of the legislature. His political faith was that of a democrat and his voice was often heard in the councils of the party. A wife and ten children survive him.
The following was published in "The Mauston Star {unreadable)", Thursday, November 7, 1895
Killed By An Engine.
AN OLD CITIZEN OF JUNEAU COUNTY DIES FROM INJURIES RECEIVED ON THE C. M.
& ST. P. R.R. IN THIS CITY.
On Friday evening of last week the sad news spread through our city that Dempster Darrow had been injured by an engine going east. It seems that Mr. Darrow was in Mauston during the afternoon and about six o'clock left for home. He had gone only a short distance when his wagon broke down and he decided to return for the night. He left the vehicle and walked back driving his team.
Mr. Darrow had reached the crossing on Elm street, near Mr. Strong's residence, when the engine struck him with such force as to throw him a distance of about sixty feet.
Two children, Otis Loomis and Edith Kyle, who were on their way down town, were the only witnesses to this terrible accident. Mr. Kingston and others soon arrived and the poor man was taken to Mr. Upton's residence where Drs. Smith and Welsh did all in their power for the sufferer.
He remained in an unconscious condition until Monday forenoon about 10 o'clock,
when he breathed his last.
An inquest was held Tuesday before Justice Carter and following verdict was
ren-dered:
We, the jury, find that the deceased came to his death from injuries received by be-ing struck by an engine at Elm Street crossing. From the distance the body was thrown and other evidence we believe the engine was running at an unlawful rate of speed.
One source states that Edwin Darrow, son of Dempster, told her that one of the reason for the acci-dent was that it happened during blizzard conditions. That fact is not mentioned in either of the two newspaper articles.
Death Record for Dempster Darrow, Vol 2, pp85 in Juneau County Courthouse, Mauston, WI
Name Dempster Darrow
Address
Maiden Name
Race White Sex Male Age 58
Date of Death Nov 4, 1895
Date of Birth Nov 30, 1837 Place Nownsfield, Jefferson Co., N. Y.
Name of Father Joseph Darrow Birthplace
Maiden Name of Mother Permmuter ? Birthplace
Occupation of Deceased Farming
Name of Wife or Husband Susanna Darrow
Place of Burial Evergreen Cemetery, Lindina
Informant
Cause of Death Struck by engine at R.R. crossing in Mauston
Married Single Widowed
Veteran
Newton Darrow
Using the entries noted on the 1850 census for Watertown, Jefferson, NY, Newton was born about 1839. He appears on the 1850 census as being 11 years old. This is the last time that Newton is shown as a member of the family. Other researchers have stated that he died at an early age.
Louisa Darrow14
The IG files of the Family History Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints state that Louisa was born 1840 in St. Theresa Township, Jefferson County, NY. When I researched the 1840 census I could not find a St. Theresa Township in Jefferson County. Actually a Theresa township was formed in that year and I have never been able to find any records. Louisa went to Wisconsin with her family and some time prior to 1860 she married Eli Woodward. They lived in Tunnel City, Monroe, WI.
Eli and Louisa had three daughters, Lula, married Frank Kern; Orpha, married Frank Pedenau; and Liza, married John Winship.
Frances Darrow15
Frances Darrow was born about 1842. In 1850 her family was living in Watertown Township, Jeffer-son County, NY. She was 8 years old. She moved to Summit Township, Juneau County, WI with her family in the fall of 1852. Between that date and 1859 she met Marshall Webber, and they were married in 1859. If the dates are correct she would have been 17 years of age at the time of her marriage.
The 1860 Federal Census confirms the marriage of Marshall and Frances.16 They were living in Freedom, Sauk, WI. Their first two children, Delphina, b. March 8, 1860 known as Della, and Charles Marshall, b. 5 August, 1862, known as Mert, were born in Sauk County.
Sometime between 1862 and 1865, the family moved to Albion, Jackson, WI. Two more children, Adeline, b. January 1, 1864, and Minnie, b. 1865, were added to the family.
Frances Darrow Webber died in Black River Falls, WI sometime between 1865 and 1870.
Emmett Emmanuel Webster Darrow 17
I have attempted to find out just what the names that were given to Emmett mean and whether they have any family connection. If they do I would have to believe that it was his mother's side of the family. According to his obituary Emmett was born July 28, 1846. Since it indicates on the census reports of 1830 and 1850 that his parents were living in Jefferson County, NY it is probable he was born there also. He is listed on the 1850 census rolls for Jefferson County, NY and on the 1860 and 1870 census rolls for Summitt Township, Juneau County, WI.
He was married to Mary Jane Barnett in 1872. They had seven children:
Winifred b. 1878, died in infancy and is buried in Big Creek Cemetery. This cemetery is located in the Town of LaValle, Sauk County, WI.
Newton b. 1875 d. Dec 23, 1929
Ben b. 1877
Frank b 1885 d. 1970
Lula Bertha b. June 4 1890 d. Sep 8 1963
Ruby Frances b. 1881
Hugh Ashley b. 1898
Following is the obituary of Emmett Darrow, sent to me by Carla Giles.
Emmett Darrow, youngest son of Joseph Darrow and Pamela White, was born in Jefferson county, New York, July 28, 1846. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1852, and settled on the farm in Summit, now owned by Chester Clark, where his father had the first post office in this section of the country. He is the last of a family of six chil-dren: Wallace, Dempster, Newton, Mrs. Louise Woodland, and Mrs Frances Webber.
He was married in 1872 to Jennie Barnett, and to this union seven children were born. Winnie died in infancy. The others, Newton, of La Valle; Ben, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Mrs. Ruby Smart, Mauston; Frank, of La Valle: Mrs. Lula Douglas, Reedsburg; and Hugh, of Iron Mountain, Mich.; were all present at the funeral.
After his marriage he lived on his farm in Summit now owned by Thomas Bohn. About twenty years ago the family moved to La Valle, where he has since resided. His wife died about three years ago, and he had been in failing health for the past year, but up to a few weeks before his death, he was active and able and glad to see and visit his friends. Then he was sticken with paralysis, from which he partially rallied, until Dec. 10, when he passed away, cheery and hopeful to the end.
He united with the Advent Christian church of La Valle, shortly before his death, and was laid to rest in the La Valle cemetery, beside the wife he so dearly loved and sincerely mourned.
Funeral services, conducted by his pastor, Mrs. Purington, were held at La Valle Monday, Dec. 14, and were largely attended. Those from away besides his immediate family were:
Mrs. Lula Kern, Sparta; William Smart, Mauston; James Darrow, Mauston; Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Bar-
(The copy of the obit that I received was cut off at this point)
The death of Pamelia and Joseph Darrow.
The exact date of deaths for both Pamelia and Joseph are unknown. It appears that Pamelia, died sometime between 1870 and 1880. Joseph died sometime after 1880. They are probably both buried in Big Creek Cemetery. Correspondence with Sauk County, where the cemetery is located stated that they could only find one Darrow listed and that was Winnie, daughter of Emmett and Jennie Darrow. They also told me that this cemetery had a great deal of vandalism with stones broken and taken, so they could be buried there and the Big Creek Cemetery Association would not necessarily know it. Big Creek Cemetery is located in NW ¼ NE ¼, Section 1, T13N, RcE, Town of La valle, County of Sauk, State of Wisconsin.
Research for an obituary or death record for either Pamelia or Joseph has been attempted but no information has been located.
Sources
1. From Linda P. Harper Reuter's book, "The Darrow Family in the United States",
2nd Edition, published April 1997. . Her e-mail address is
[email protected]. For those who want to determine the specific sources
for their ancestors will have to contact me, Dean C. Hagen, or Linda Reuter.
Her book is available for sale at $50. Repository: The Darrow Family in the
United States.
2. US Census 1830. Henderson, Jefferson, NY LDS film # 0017152.
3. US Census 1850. Watertown, Jefferson, NY LDS film # 0017092.
4. From Linda P. Harper Reuter's book, "The Darrow Family in the United States",
2nd Edition, published April 1997. Her e-mail address is
[email protected]. For those who want to determine the specific sources
for their ancestors will have to contact me, Dean C. Hagen, or Linda Reuter.
Her book is available for sale at $50. Repository: The Darrow Family in the
United States.
5. US Census 1850. Watertown, Jefferson, NY LDS film # 0017092.
6. US Census 1850. Rutland, Jefferson, NY LDS film # 0017092.
7. John Edward Armstrong., author of "An Armstrong Ancestry, A Genealogy
of the Descendants of Robert R. Armstrong." Odana Press, Madison, WI, 1990
LDS Family History Center Film No. 1597814, Item 10.
8. US Census 1860. Summitt, Juneau, WI LDS film # 0034502
9. US Census 1870. Summitt, Juneau, WI LDS film # 0553219
10. US Census 1880 Index that covers name of Darrow. LDS film #
11. Wisconsin Volunteers War of the Rebellion 1861-65. Compiled by WI Adj.
Gen's during 1895-99. Published by Democrat Publishing Co., Madison, WI in
1914. Descriptive Roll of Co.I, 39th Regt. Repository Family Origins
Database.
12. John Edward Armstrong., author of "An Armstrong Ancestry, A Genealogy
of the Descendants of Robert R. Armstrong." Odana Press, Madison, WI, 1990
LDS Family History Center Film No. 1597814, Item 10.
13. Ibid.
14. Carla Bolchen Gile is the second great granddaughter of Joseph Darrow
b. 1803. She sent me a descendants chart of Sgt George Darrow that included
mostly the families of Henry A. Darrow b 1791 and Joseph Darrow b. 1803.
Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Repository: Home Records of Dean
Hagen.
15. Dean C. Hagen, author of "The Ancestors of Frances Louise Berlin", and,
great grandson of Frances Darrow, b. abt 1842. E-mail address,
[email protected]. Repository: Home records of Dean Hagen.
16. 1860 Fed. Census, USA, Freedom, Sauk, WI LD Film # 0805429
17. Carla Bolchen Gile is the second great granddaughter of Joseph Darrow
b. 1803. She sent me a descendants chart of Sgt George Darrow that included
mostly the families of Henry A. Darrow b 1791 and Joseph Darrow b. 1803.
Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Repository: Home Records of Dean
Hagen.