from the Local History files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol 4, page 100) and attributed to an article photocopied from the Spalding Scrapbook):
Johnathan H. Darst was born in Vinton county, Ohio, March 11, 1844, and died in Lowell August 7, 1899, at the age of 55 years, 4 months and 26 days. He came with his parents to Lake county about forty years ago and has made this part of the country his home most of the time since. In October, 1865, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wilkinson, to which union five children--three boys and two girls--were born, three of which survive their father, C.L., resideing at Momence, W.W. in California and Belle, now Mrs. A.M. Kelsey, Lowell. December 14, 1880, he was called upon to part with his wife by death. April 19, 1884 he was again married to Mrs. Euseba Terry, of Chauttauqua Co., New York. He served in the army in Co. H 33d Ind. Volunteers. He was a genial, jovial man, whom everybody liked, with a cheery word for everyone. No man in Lowell will be missed more than he.