WILLIAM H. DARROW, M.D.
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Obstacles which appear unsurmountable to some persons to others serve merely as incentives, and by overcoming difficulties they rise to heights of character and usefulness which the great majority of the human race scarcely realize. Such is the epitome of the life of Dr. William H. Darrow, now deceased, who for many years was a prominent physician of Columbus Junction. Beginning in a most humble capacity in a drug store he earned the money to pay his expenses at college, thus laying a foundation for future success. He was a valiant soldier, a patriotic citizen, a true friend to the needy or unfortunate, and in all the responsibilities of life he attempted to ever perform his duty. He was born in Summit county, Ohio, August 17, 1842, a son of George and Harriet Walker Darrow. Mr. Darrow, Sr., came with his family to Louisa county, . . .
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. . . Iowa, in 1845 and took up his residence at Columbus City, where he engaged in the blacksmith’s trade. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call of President Lincoln and enlisted in an Iowa regiment, losing his life in defense of his country. The mother is also deceased.
William H. Darrow was a member of a family of fourteen children and, being obliged in his boyhood to assist in providing for the support of his brothers and sisters, entered the drug store of Clark & Colton at Columbus City as a clerk. He was unusually industrious and, having decided to devote his life to the practice of medicine, matriculated in the medical college of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1859. In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Iowa volunteers, and later was promoted as hospital steward and assistant surgeon. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg and many of the principal battles of the Army of the West, among which may be named Champion’s Hill, Missionary Ridge, Jackson, Corinth, Fort Pillow, New Madrid, Iuka and Tiptonville. He was wounded in the scalp and in the left arm at the battle of Champion’s Hill, but recovered from these injuries and resumed his position with his company, being honorably mustered out after wearing the uniform of the blue for three years and nine months. Upon laying aside the accoutrements of war he returned to Columbus City and engaged in the practice of medicine, after moving to Cairo, and in 1870 to Columbus Junction, where he continued during the remainder of his life, becoming known as one of the most successful practitioners in Louisa county.
On the 20th of November, 1871, in this county, Dr. Darrow was united in marriage to Miss Emily F. Weaver, a daughter of Erastus and Mary Elizabeth (Marshall) Weaver, the former of whom was born at Providence, Rhode Island, and the latter near Xenia, Ohio. Mr. Weaver arrived in Louisa county in 1846, and was here married to Mary Elizabeth Marshall, who was one of the noblest women Louisa county has known. Mr. Weaver also served for the Union upon southern battlefields during the Civil war and was known as one of the most respected citizens of this section. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver: Mary Elizabeth, who married Reese Sellers; Laura and Annie, both of whom died in infancy; Emily F., who married Dr. William H. Darrow; Lucy, the wife of E. S. Briggs, of Louisa county; Clara, who resides at Morning Sun and is the wife of Dr. C. B. Allen; H. O., now a leading attorney of Wapello and collector of United States internal revenue of the fourth district of Iowa; Henrietta, the wife of August Salmon, of Columbus Junction; and Alice, who died in infancy. A more extended record of Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Weaver may be found in the sketch of H. O. Weaver elsewhere in this work.
Dr. and Mrs. Darrow became the parents of one son, John D., who was born December 31, 1877, and was given good educational advantages, being a graduate of the State University at Iowa City. In 1900 he was married to Miss Effie Klotz, a native of Louisa county, and they have two children: Helen F., born August 5, 1909; and William H, born June 13, 1911. Mr. Darrow gives his support to the republican party and is now serving very acceptably as city . . .
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. . . assessor. Socially he is connected with Liberty Lodge, No. 22, Knights of Pythias, of Columbus Junction, and he has filled all the chairs in this organization.
Dr. Darrow died July 15, 1894. His demise was regarded as a distinct personal loss by the people of Columbus Junction and vicinity and the numerous expressions of condolence gave evidence of the respect in which he was held by young and old wherever he was known. At the time of his death he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kansas and also of valuable property in Columbus Junction. In politics he was an adherent of the republican party and fraternally he was a valued member of the Masonic order. His body reposes in Indian Creek cemetery. Although seventeen years have passed since he was called from earthly scenes his memory is cherished as one who lived, not for himself alone, but very largely that he might contribute to the comfort and happiness of others. “The world is better for his having passed this way.” Mrs. Darrow and her son still occupy the family residence at Columbus Junction, which is endeared to them by many associations. She is a lady of most attractive qualities of mind and character and can claim a host of friends in Louisa county.
