DARBY, John Fletcher; was born in Person County, North Carolina, December 10, 1803; in 1818 removed with his father to Missouri and settled in St. Louis County, where, until 1823, he worked on a farm, pursuing his studies under many difficulties having previously received a good English education in his native town; after the death of his parents, in 1825, he appllied for an appointment at West Point; being unsuccessful, sold out his father’s estate, went to Frankfort, Kentucky, and studied law; in May 1827, having a license to practice from the Supreme Court of Kentucky, returned to Missouri, and commenced professional life; was four times chosen Mayor of the City of St. Louis, and once a member of the State Senate; was a Representative inCongress from 1851 to 1853 from that State.
(Source: Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States, by Charles Lanman, 1887, pg 126)