Nathaniel Bascome Darrell was born in Brooklyn, New York where his father ran an import business. After his father died, Darrell and his mother and brother moved to Toronto to be closer to her family. In Toronto, Darrell started a produce business with his brother and a 'friend' who then absconded with everything they had. After this unfortunate occurrence, Darrell decided to move out west.
Arriving in Fort William in 1910, Darrell worked for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and became the foreman of the coal docks. He then began work in the insurance business, eventually establishing his own agency, the N.B. Darrell Insurance Company.
Having served as a Councillor for several years, Darrell won the three-way Mayoral race in 1929 and was acclaimed for a second term in 1930. He lost the 1931 Mayoral race to Eugene Grimes Murphy by a mere 47 votes. Throughout his political career he was involved in promoting Fort William as an industrial and tourist center, establishing a long distance telephone service, and ensuring that city streets were paved.
Born: January 28, 1877 in Brooklyn, New York
Died: June 8, 1941 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 64
Councillor: 1922-1925, 1927-1928, 1934
Mayor: 1929-1930
Previous Mayor: Mayor Joseph Edmund Crawford
Next Mayor: Mayor Eugene Grimes Murphy
Back to Fort William City Councils 1920 - 1929
Back to Fort William City Councils 1930 - 1939
Back to Fort William Mayors
Back to Past Councils Main Page
Contact Us
Connect
