Francis Marion Darknell

Wedding Announcement for Francis and Mary Darknell

25 Feb 1903

Francis M. Darknell and Mary A. Sheldon of Pine Island, were married this morning by Judge of Probate Haller.

• ************ Minnesota, Marriages Index, 1849-1950 about Francis Marion Darknell Name: Francis Marion Darknell Gender: Male Marriage Date: 25 Feb 1903 Marriage Place: Red Wing, Goodhue, Minnesota Spouse's Name: Mary Alma Sheldon Spouse Gender: Female Event Type: Marriage FHL Film Number: 1379161

Jun 4, 1909 Brickyard for Fairfield

Several of our enterprising citizens are promoting the formation of a company to handle a Brick making business, and are meeting with good success. Nearly $20,000 of a stock has already been promised, and it is the intention to secure about $50,000 before starting a Plant.

This is a tangible, profitable enterprise, that will give employment to 10 or 20 men, and the product is in increasing demand. Frank M. Darknell is actively engaged in pushing the scheme. Let every citizen boast for the new brick yard.

Frank M. Darknell was a rural Mail Carrier in Rock Creek Valley, Wash. in the early days.

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Frank Darknell Death article from Pine Island Record, 12/2/1917:

Frank Darknell, who with his brother, Charlie, has been batching on the Wm. Button place, was taken seriously ill last week. It is said by neighbors who happened in that he had been two days without food or fire, his brother being absent from home. A physician was called and the patient was sent to Rochester for treatment where he died a few days later of pneumonia. Mrs. Darknell and the children are in western Montana and will not be able to return for the funeral.

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From a very old obituary (from a clipping from an unknown newspaper):

Frank M. Darknell

We are able at this time to present the following sketch of Frank M. Darknell, who died at a hospital in Rochester December 14th, after a short illness of pneumonia.

Mr. Darknell was born October 14, 1874, on a farm in Pine Island township, and here he lived with his parents till about fifteen years of age. He received an education and at the age of fifteen went to Washington and resided there seven years. When he returned he married Miss Mary Sheldon of Mazzeppa, Minnesota.

Five children came to bless this happy union. They are Raymond, Marion, Clifford, Lloyd and Howard, who, with their mother, are bereft of a devoted husband and a kind and loving father.

At the time of his death, the mother and children were at Conrad, Montana, and could not be present at the bedside of their loved one, to soothe his aching brow or say a last goodbye.

Mr. Darknell also leaves one sister, Mrs. Emma Weaver of Plumber, Idaho, and five brothers, William H. and George W. of Fairfield, Washington; Arthur A., of Sante Marie, Idaho; Fred J. of California; and Charles W. of Pine Island, Minnesota.

Frank Darknell was a man of excellent habits and was ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The funeral service was conducted by Dr. I.B. Wood at Tollefson & Vine's undertaking parlors, Tuesday, December 18, at 2PM, and interment was in Oakwood Cemetery.