Charles D. Darnall

CHARLES D. DARNALL. - One of the leading real estate men of Kansas City, Kansas, Charles D. Darnall is carrying on an extensive and substantial business, his able management of affairs and his thorough knowledge of realty and it values winning him satisfactory success in his operations. He is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred September 24, 1868, in Platte county.

Richard T. Darnall, his father, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, May 21, 1836, and died in Kansas City, Missouri, December 13, 1897. Migrating to Missouri in early life, he purchased land in Platte county, and for a number of years was a prominent farmer and stock raiser. He took a leading part in the affairs of his community, being one of the organizers of the Farmers' National Bank of Platte City and its president, and while there served as county assessor and county treasurer. Subsequently he went to Leadville, Colorado, where, in partnership with Judge John B. Stone, he was for four years engaged in mining. Coming to Kansas City, Missouri, he embarked in the real estate business with W. H. Craddock in 1879, and continued his operations in that line until his death. He married Susan Benight, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1840, and died in 1868. Of the three sons and one daughter born of their union, the daughter and one son are dead, and two sons are living, namely: Robert and Charles D. Richard T. Darnall served as a soldier in the Civil war, being under command of General Shelby. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and was a Knight Templar Mason.

Charles D. Darnall acquired his early education in Platte City, Missouri, attending the public schools and the academy. When but seventeen years of age he became associated with his father in the real estate business, and has since operated successfully in Kansas City, Missouri, and in Argentine, Kansas. He is somewhat active in political circles, and though not an aspirant for officicial honors served as assessor in Argentine in 1903. Mr. Darnall is a member of the Kansas City, Missouri, Commercial Club, and fraternally belongs to Ben Hur Lodge, No. 322, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; to Caswell Consistory, No. 5; and to Abdallah Temple, of Leavenworth, Kansas. He stands high in Masonry, having taken the thirty-second degree.

Mr. Darnall married, June 9, 1889, Edith G. Bliss, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of David G. Bliss. Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1840, Mr. Bliss was a pioneer merchant of Argentine, Kansas, in 1882 establishing one of the first dry goods stores in the town. He was the second mayor of Argentine, having been elected to the office in 1883, and for several years he served as city treasurer. During the administration of President Arthur he was appointed postmaster of Argentine, and was again appointed to the same position under Benjamin Harrison's administration. His death, which occurred February 23, 1893, was deeply regretted as a public loss. A man of broad human sympathies, he was a firm believer in the "Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man," and strongly realized that he who socatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow men and lets into the dark places the sunshine of good will and human happiness is following in the footsteps of the Master.

Mr. Bliss was twice married. He married first Eliza Cushman, who died in early womanhood, leaving two children, Edith G., now Mrs. Darnall, and John. He subsequently married Mary Orcutt, and of their three children two are living, Helen and Olive.

Mr. and Mrs. Darnall are the parents of three children, namely: C. Bliss, a student in the William Jewell College, and Leila Marie and Burton.