The Early Years

John Samuel Darrough, son of Samuel Vogan Darrough and Ricey Ann Quaintance, was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during a skirmish near Eastport, Mississippi. Born in Kentucky, Darrough moved to Illinois as a child and enlisted in the Union Army from that state. While participating in a mission to destroy a Confederate railway, Darrough and others were stranded on the shore of the Tennessee River under intense enemy fire. Although he had found a canoe with which to cross the river safely, he voluntarily returned to the Confederate-held shore to rescue a fellow soldier who was in danger of drowning

By 1850, the family had moved to neighboring Mason County, where they owned a large farm. In 1855 they moved again, this time to Iroquois County, Illinois, where Darrough would live the rest of his life.

In 1850, John S., age nine, resided with his father Samuel, the head of household and Farmer and his mother Ricey A. in Bracken, Kentucky, United States. Ricey managed the household and also raised James W., Thomas J., Sarah C., Josiah, Andrew, Alice J., May E., and Rufus C.   As of 1860, John S., age seventeen, resided with his mother Ricey, the head of household and Farmer in Concord Township, Iroquois, Illinois, United States. Ricey also managed the household and also raised Thomas, Josiah, Elise, Andrew, Rufus C., Mary, Burnet and Nancy. In addition, his adult siblings James W. and Sarah C. were residents of the household.

The Civil War

John Samuel Darrough, a resident of Concord, Illinois, United States enlisted in the Union Army for three years on 12 Aug 1862 as a Corporal. Corporal Darrough was assigned to Company F., 113th Regiment, Illinois Infantry on 1 Oct 1862.

Corporal Darrow received a promotion to Sergeant during his enlistment. Sergeant Darrough was discharged on 28 May 1865. John was a member of GAR Post #25 (Williams) in Watseka, Illinois, United States. Medal of Honor Recipient John Samuel Darrough died on 14 Aug 1920 and was buried in Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Cemetery, in Watseka, Illinois.

Civil War Engagements with the 13th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, (aka Third Chicago Board of Trade), Organized: Camp Hancock, Chicago, IL on 1 Oct 1862, Mustered out: 20 Jun 1865:

Chickasaw Bayou, (aka Battle of Walnut Hills), was the opening engagement of the Vicksburg Campaign, 28-29 Dec 1862, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Arkansas Post, (aka Battle of Fort Hindman), 9-11 Jan 1863, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory

Yazoo Post, 3 Feb-12 Apr 1863, Northwestern Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Port Gibson, 3 Feb-12 Apr 1863, Claiborne County, near Port Gibson, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Champion Hill, pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign, 16 May 1863, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Vicksburg, final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Brice's Cross Roads, (aka Battle of Tishomingo Creek or the Battle of Guntown), final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign, 11 Jun 1864), Near Baldwyn, Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Sergeant John Samuel Darrough fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault at Eastport, Mississippi, United States. Sergeant Darrough bravely defended Company F, 113th Regiment, Illinois Infantry while saving the life of a Captain.

President Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant John Samuel Darrough, United States Army, on 5 Feb 1865 for extraordinary heroism, while serving with Company F, 113th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, in action at Eastport, Mississippi, United States on 10 Oct 1864.

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Later Years

John married Samantha E “Mattie” Hazlett on 24 Apr 1873 in Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois, United States. They had the following known children: Earl Morton Darrough and Winifred V “Winnie” Darrough Steely.

John was in a pension record in 1879.   By 1880, John S., age thirty-eight, is married, the head of household and a Farmer, resided with his wife of seven years, Samantha in Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois, United States. Samantha managed the household and raised Earl and Winnie.

John S., age fifty-nine, the head of household and a Landlord, resided with his wife of twenty-seven years, Samantha (aka Mattie) on Locust (aka Lacust) Street in Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois in 1900. Samantha (aka Mattie) managed the household and raised Mable Skinner (shows this is a daughter, possibly a relative from Kansas, no further info related to Mable is known). In addition, a servant was a resident of the household. The census indicates Samantha has given birth to two children and both are living in 1900.  John was in a pension record in 1907-1933 in United States.   In 1910, John S., age sixty-nine, the head of household, resided with his wife of thirty-seven years, Samantha (aka Mattie) in Watseka Ward 1, Iroquois, Illinois. Samantha (aka Mattie) managed the household and they are empty nesters.   By 1920, John S., age seventy-eight, the head of household, resided with his wife of thirty-seven years, Samantha (aka Mattie) on 315 Locust Street in Middleport Township, Iroquois, Illinois, United States. Samantha (aka Mattie) managed the household and his adult daughter Winifred Darrough Steely (widowed) and his grandson John D. Steely resided in the household.

Death & Burial

Medal of Honor Sergeant John Samuel Darrough died on Saturday, 14 Aug 1920 at the age of 79 years, 4 months, 8 days and is commemorated and interred in GAR Cemetery, Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States.

John's wife Samantha E. (Mattie) Hazlett Darrough died on 20 Aug 1934 in Danville, Vermilion, Illinois, United States. At the time of John's death in 1920, they had been married 47 years, 3 months, 21 days