John W. Darlington, M. D., is a prominent Jackson county physician, located at Denison, is a native of West Virginia. He was born in Lewis county, that State, January 18, 1854, a son of Joseph and Maria (Byrne) Darlington, both natives of Virginia. The father was engaged in the general mercantile business throughout life. He died in 1885 and the mother survived him a few years. Dr. Darlington attended the public schools in his native county, and later attended the State University of West Virginia, Morgantown, W. Va., one year. He then entered the One Study University at Newmarket, Ohio, where he was graduated in the class of 1873, with a degree of Bachelor of Science. He then taught school for a time, and later studied medicine under the private instruction of Dr. J. W. Bland and Dr. Koontz for three years. He then took the State examination and was admitted to practice. On account of his father's business losses, during the Civil war, Dr. Darlington was compelled to pay his own way through school, and the experience thus gained developed a spirit of self-reliance which was valuable to him in after-life. After passing the examination of the State board of West Virginia, he went to Iowa, and located at Earlham, where he practiced three years. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., and was graduated in the class of 1887, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then came to Kansas and located at Denison. The town was not even laid out at that time. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession, and has remained there ever since. He has met with unusual success in his chosen calling and has built up a large practice in Denison and vicinity. He is now a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners, of which he is president, and has served as coroner of Jackson county six years. Dr. Darlington was married August 31, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Morris, a daughter of Thomas S. and Susan (Bouse) Morris, natives of West Virginia. Mrs. Darlington was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, and was educated in private schools. To Dr. and Mrs. Darlington have been born four children: Thomas M., born July 23, 1878, editor of the "Farmer and Stockman," San Antonio, Tex., married Miss Adelaide Tyler, of San Antonio, and they have one child, Dorothy Adalaide; John W., born September 1, 1880, photographer, Holton, Kans., married Edith Matthews, and they have one child, Grace Elizabeth; Charles A., born January 16, 1885, a reporter on the Des Moines Iowa "Daily Capital," and Grace E., born July 14, 1890, a teacher in the city schools of Oskaloosa, Kans. Mr. Darlington is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the American State and County Medical Associations, and for two years served as president of the county organization. The family are members of the M. E. church, and Dr. Darlington is a Democrat.