from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 400-401
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of “progressive”, and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life, one who has not been subdued by the many obstacles and failures that come to every one, but who has made them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that he was winning his way in the material affairs of life gained a reputation for uprightness and honor.
James L. Darnell, the proprietor of the “Yaller Front”, was born in Danville, August 25, 1854. His parents were John F. and Virginia (Dicks) Darnell, his father being a native of Kentucky and his mother of Indiana. John F. Darnell came to Hendricks County when a small boy with his mother and located in Danville. He was a carpenter by trade, but later went into the mercantile business, which he managed until his death, in 1897. His wife died about four years later. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Darnell were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: Charles S., of Indianapolis, Indiana; Dora, the wife of A.S. Pierce, of Colorado; Kate, the widow of Frank Gladden, of Texas; Rhoda May Howell, of St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Jennie Calvert, of Texas, and James L., the immediate subject of this sketch.
James L. Darnell was educated in the public schools of Danville, and at the age of eighteen became a salesman in an Indianapolis clothing store, remaining there for eight years. He then began to indulge his desire for travel and for the next two years was salesman for the Famous Shoe and Clothing Company, of St. Louis. Following this he worked for mercantile establishment in New Orleans, Denver, Springfield, Missouri, and other places in the West, spending a short time working in San Francisco. He then returned to Indianapolis, where he remained for a short time, but the wanderlust seizing him, he went west again and took service with a farmer near Keokuk, Iowa, at fifteen dollars per month. He had the management of twenty to thirty farm hands, and he had the native ability to do his work well. The owner recognized his capacity and increased his salary to forty dollars per month and gave him the entire management of the farm. However, he soon returned to Indiana because of his father's declining health and for five years before his father's death he was in his father's store. Upon the death of the latter he continued the grocery business and has been remarkably successful. He is a very popular and prosperous grocer and is one of the busiest and most enterprising merchants in this part of the state.
Mr. Darnell was first married in 1878 to Nancy Reed, of Danville, and to this marriage there were born three children: Edith, the wife of C.P. Bond, of Boston, Massachusetts; Ralph, deceased, and Bessie, the wife of Rev. George Kline, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Darnell died in 1891, and in 1895 Mr. Darnell was married to Margaret Cook, the daughter of Silas and Mary Cook, of Danville.
James Darnell is a Democrat in politics, but has never taken an active part in the political game. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and religiously, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, having long held the office of deacon in that denomination. Mr. Darnell is one of the most active members of the Danville Commercial Club and is one of the most enthusiastic boosters for the greater Danville. He has given a great deal of thought and energy in organizing the Business Men's Club, of Danville, in order to bring factories and capital to his local town. He is interested himself in the Danville Creamery and Danville Canning Company, being a stockholder in both companies. He is a broad, generous and worthy business man and citizen. His store, familiarly known as the “Yaller Front”, is rapidly becoming a household word in Hendricks County, and by his accommodating, genial and business-like way, he has built up a large business.