Charles William Darling (1889-1971) was born in West Michigan and graduated from Central High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan. After attending courses at Northwestern University and the State Normal College at Ypsilanti (now Eastern Michigan University), he began working for the Holland Interurban Railroad Co. On June 1, 1912, he was employed in the Grand Rapids City Engineer's office as a blue print boy, tracer and errand boy.

Working his way up through the ranks, Darling was appointed chief surveyor in 1917 and assistant city engineer in 1920, the same year he became a registered civil engineer. As assistant engineer, he was in charge of all outside construction for the city.

In 1927 he was appointed city engineer. Some of the major city construction projects during his tenure were the construction of Lake Michigan Drive, widening Division Avenue from Fulton Street southward, replacing the Fulton Street Bridge and paving most of the city's streets to carry motorized traffic.

With Frank Goebel's promotion to city manger in 1946, Darling also became director of public service. He held that position until 1954 when city manager Milard M. Moore refused to approve Darlings request to work past mandatory retirement at age 65. Due to the political turmoil in city politics at the time, Darling was reappointed to the position when George Veldman was elected mayor.

Darling and Orchis Stanton were married 8 June 1910. They had three children: Russell, Richard and Laura Jean, who married Ernest F. Slagel. The Slagel's son, also named Ernest, allowed the Library to copy these images.