A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Charles Hammond Darby
St. Joseph News Press, 14 May 1910 (obtained from http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.buchanan/1555/mb.ashx):
DR. C. H. DARBY DIES AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS:
He had been a Practicing Dentist in St. Joseph for many years! PROMINENT IN THIS STATE Natives of New York State and Son of A Baptist clergyman - Was a member of many Dental Associations during life!
One of the city's pioneer dentists was lost to St. Joseph today by the death at his home, 1205 Francis Street, of Dr. Charles Hammond Darby, after an illness of only a week. He would have been sixty-seven years old July 3, next. He practiced his profession in St. Joseph since 1866. He always had been a physician of high ethical standards and his one hobby was the indulgence of his taste for keeping in the advance guard of modern dentistry, and introducing new modes of procedure.
The first dental engine in Missouri was used by Doctor Darby, the first rubber dam utilized in a patients mouth in Missouri, was in his office, and nitrous oxide gas for extraction had its first Missouri use by him. Jenkins porcelain now in general use by the profession was demonstrated for the first time in America by Doctor Darby at the thirty-first anniversary of the Chicago Dental Society.
The Odontographic Society of Kansas City, at a meeting Jan 8, 1909, rendered Doctor Darby, one of the membership and unique testimonial by giving him a fine drinking set, cut glass, sliver encrusted, comprising a decanter and glasses. There was no occasion for the presentation other than the society's regard for a member, and Doctor Darby often referred to the gift among his friends, as being one of his most prized possessions. The Odontographic Society's exclusive membership includes the leading dental practitioners of Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Topeka.
HIS DEATH A SURPRISE: Those who saw the familiar figure of the pioneer dentist in St. Joseph will be surprised at the news of his death. He was about his office as usual a week ago, but when he became ill, he sank rapidly. His death, at 4:50 o'clock this morning, was due to a complication of diseases, including grip, pneumonia, and a constitutional kidney trouble. He is survived by his second wife, to whom he was married in 1880. She was Mrs. C.S. Hawx, widow of the first Episcopal bishop of Missouri, and daughter of Judge Abiel J. Leonard of Fayette, a former member of the state supreme court. He is survived by the widow, a daughter, Miss Ada C. Darby, and two stepdaughters, Miss Mary Hawks & Mrs. George A. Dunbar. He has a brother in Philadelphia, Dr. Edwin T. Darby and a cousin, Dr. Frank B. Darby, also a dentist, in Elmira, N.Y.
Dr. Darby was born in Greene, Chenango County, N.Y. in 1844. His father, the Rev. Chauncey Darby was a Baptist minister, and his mother was a Quaker. He was educated at Courtland Academy, Homer, N.Y. and when the Civil War began, he worked two years at the Springfield United States Armory, manufacturing Springfield rifles. He studied dentistry a year with Dr. Ransome Walker, at Owego, N.Y, practiced a year in Fairfield, Iowa, and in June, 1866, he came to St. Joseph. His office was over Garlichs' pharmacy, at the southwest corner of Third and Felix streets, and Dr. Robert Gunn shared it with him. While retaining his residence in St. Jospeh, Doctor Darby returned east and was graduated from the Pennsylvania Dental College, Philadelphia, with the class of 1867. About the time he returned to St. Joseph, he removed his office to the southeast corner of Third and Francis streets, where the Postal Telegraph building just had been finished.
Dr. J. M. Austin was Doctor Darby's partner for nearly twenty years, 1877 to 1896 to be exact. For the last seventeen or eighteen years, since the completion of the German American National Bank Building, Doctor Darby's office was there. He was one of the original tenants. In late years, Dr. J. G. Morgan has occupied a suite with him. Doctor Darby had lived for thirty-five years in the two story brick house where he died. Doctor Darby's connection with general dental affairs extended to membership in the American Dental Association, the Missouri State Dental Association and The Odontographic Society of Kansas City. He was president of the state society for a year. the Odontographic Society presentation a year ago was typical of the favor with which his associates long had regarded him. Dr. C. L. Hungerford of Kansas City made the presentation speech during which he said:
" But, especially, I want to call your attention to the fact that we also have other men at whose feet we have stooped for wisdom, men whose long lives have been devoted to the practice of their profession, who have made progress, and with whom we have been associated for many, many years; one, especially, among them, who is thought of and known in familiar parlance as "The Old Aristocrat". When that term is mentioned, we think of Dr. Charles H. Darby of St. Joseph. A synonym of all that is comprised in the word "gentleman". All that a gentleman can be Synonymous with all the good and gracious forces that flow through men's hearts and minds, and make their lives profitable to themselves and a benediction to these with whom they are associated". It is announced that the funeral of Doctor Darby will be Monday at 10:30 A.M., from the residence. Interment will be at Mount More Cemetery.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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