U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Darst, John Sherman (1860-1936) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: West Virginia Legislative Hand Book and Manual and Official Register Compiled and Edited by John T. Harris, Clerk of the Senate The Trubune Printing Co., Charleston, West Va, 1917 Page 755 JOHN SHERMAN DARST (Republican), was bora in Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio, October 3, 1860. He attended the public schools, where ho acquired his education, and later learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years both in Ohio and West Virginia. When he came to West Virginia he located in Jackson county, with his home and business at Cottageville. The first public office held by Mr. Darst was member of the House of Delegates from Jackson county. He was elected in 1896 and took an active part in framing the laws of the State. He was twice re-elected as a member of the House of Delegates and in 1902 was elected to the State Senate, where he served four years. During his term in the Senate, Mr. Darst became a potent factor in the creation of the new tax system and was also the patron of the constitutional amendment, later ratified by the voters of the State, which placed the office of State Auditor on a salary basis, made the Secretary of State an elective officer and eliminated the fee system in both offices. Mr. Darst was appointed Assistant State Tax Commissioner following his term in the State Senate and served until 1908 when he was made the Republican nominee for State Auditor. With his associates on the Republican State ticket he was elected in 1908 and re-elected in 1912. Mr. Darst now lives at Charleston and is a citizen of Kanawha county. He married Miss Blanch McKay, of Meigs county, Ohio, and they have three children — Lieutenant Gilford Darst, of the United States Navy, assigned to special duty at Baltimore; Mrs. Helen Corbin, of Morgantown; and Moses Darst, First Lieutenant United States Regulars, at this date (October 25, 1917) stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Mr. Darst as Auditor of West Virginia is also ex-officio Insurance Commissioner of the State and was honored in 1915 with election to the Presidency of the International Convention of Insurance Commissioners. He is also a successful business man, heavily interested in Charleston real estate and a stockholder in banks and mercantile establishments. At the primary election held June 6, 1916, Mr. Darst was nominated for State Auditor on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected at the general election November 7th, following. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- DEATH CERTIFICATE, Kanawha County WV #11724 Full-name: John Sherman Darst Birth: October 3, 1860 in Cheshire Ohio Death: August 27, 1936 in Charleston, Kanawha County WV Married to Blanche McKay Darst Occupation: Auditor, Retired Informant: Mrs. Frank P. Corbin Place-of-burial: Sunset Memorial Cemetery DEATH CERTIFICATE, Monongalia County WV #57-002071 Full-name: Blanche Roxanna Darst Birth: Jan. 30, 1863 in Ohio Death: Feb. 25, 1957 in Morgantown, Monongalia, WV Usual-Residence: 428 Chilian Av., Palm Beach, FL Father: Malcom McKay Mother: Margery Adams Informant: Mrs. Helen Corbin of Morgantown Place-of-Burial: Sunset Memorial Cemetery --------------------------------------------------------------------- CENSUS 1900 Census, Jackson County, WV Union District, ED:37, Sheet 5B Lines 85-88, Enum-Dwelling #96, Enum-Family #96 DARST, John S (head) Oct-1860, 39, M-18yrs, OH-OH-OH, Flour Miller ", Roxanna B (wife) Jan-1863, 37, 3-children/3-living, OH-OH-OH ", Helen M (dau) Jun-1886, 13, OH-OH-OH ", Moses (son) Jul-1895, WV-OH-OH 1910 Census, Kanawha County, WV Charleston District, Charleston City, ED:75, Sheet 5B Lines 86-88, 1835 Quarrier, Enum-Dw #77, Enum-Fam #78 DARST, John S (head) 49, m1-28yrs, OH-OH-OH, State WV Supt ", Blanch (wife) 47, 4-children/3-living, OH-OH-OH ", Mose (son) 14, WV-OH-OH 1920 Census, Kanawha County, WV Charleston District, Charleston, Ward 14, ED:113, Sheet 10B Lines 63-65, 1805 Quarrier Street, Enum-Dw #194, Enum-Fam #296 DARST, John S (head) 59, M, OH-OH-OH, Auditor - State WV ", Blanche (wife) 66[sic], M, OH-OH-OH RIKSIAL, Julia (maid) 18, immi-1901-al, Austria-Austria-Austria 1930 Census, Charlotte County, Florida Punta Gorda City, ED:8-10, Sheet 6B Lines 83-84, Enum-Dwelling #146, Enum-Family #168 DARST, John S (head) 69, m-at-age-21, OH-OH-OH, Retired ", Blanche (wife) 64, m-at-age-18, OH-OH-OH ---------------------------------------------------------------------