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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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Knox County, Ohio
History & Genealogy |
Biographies
Source:
The
Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography
Illustrated
Publ. Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
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DANA, CHARLES A.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 88
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"DANBURY NEWS MAN"
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 177
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ADAM HIDER DARLING.
Much has been said and written about the sterling stock of the
Old Dominion and its influence upon the settlement and
development of all parts of the United States; but the half has
never been told and nothing like a complete story ever will be
told except in the aggregate of accounts of the lives and
achievements of representatives of Virginian families in every
state of the Union. Ohio, because of its proximity to the
grand old state which has become known as the "mother of
presidents," has received a generous share of virile Virginian
blood and her citizens have reason to congratulate themselves
because of that fact. Knox county received many Virginian
pioneers and among them was the father of the subject of this
sketch.
Adam H. Darling, a retired farmer, of
Bladensburg, Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio, was born in
Knox county on Christmas day, of 1821, a son of Abram Darling,
who was born in Virginia Mar. 29, 1780, and came to Knox county
with his father, William Darling, the grandfather
of Adam H. Darling, in 1806. William
Darling was born in Virginia in 1756 and served the cause of
the colonies during the entire period of the Revolutionary war
as a gallant and devoted soldier, participating in many historic
engagements, including those at Cowpens and King's Mountain.
Abram Darling, father of the subject of
this sketch, bought land in Butler township in 1806 and when he
became one of the pioneers of Knox county. He was married
in 1808 to Rhoda Shrimplin, who was born and
reared in Maryland and who bore him fourteen children, three of
whom died in infancy and three are yet living, of whom Adam H.
is the third in order of nativity. These children were named as
follows: Sophia, Patrick M., Margaret, William, Jane,
Lydia, Adam H., Mary, Milan, Angus, Jackson, Walter, Amos
and Caroline. Those who are living are William,
Jackson and Adam H.
Adam H. Darling was reared and educated in
Butler township, and on Feb. 25, 1843, married Martha
Strong, who was born in Maryland Aug. 1, 1824, and had been
brought from her native state by her parents, who were among the
early settlers in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. Darling
have had born to them twelve children, one of whom died in
infancy. The names of the others are as follows:
Telitha, Thurza, Sullivan, Grace,
Nink, Patience, Shrimplin, Charles,
Jackson, Perry and George W.
In 1897 Mr. Darling sold his farm of one hundred
and sixty acres and retired from active life. As a
Democrat he has taken a leading part in public affairs and for
six years filled the office of trustee of Jackson township.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 46 |
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FANNY DAVENPORT
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 106
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AZARIAH DAVIS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 166
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JAMES
W. DAVIS. This name is one known throughout Knox
county, for here Mr. Davis has passed his whole life and
here his parents lived for many decades. He was born in
Monroe township, June 9, 1849, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Downs) Davis. The father was born near Hagerstown,
Maryland, on the 4th April, 1800, and died on the 12th of
September, 1857. He was a son of Henry and Christina
(Swope) Davis. The former was born in Germany, and
there learned the tailor's trade, but when a young man he left
the home and friends of his youth and came to the United States,
locating in Maryland. In later life he engaged in the
milling business, owning flour mills on the Potomac river.
In 1808 he made his way to the Buckeye state, locating in Knox
county, and a short time afterward he was here joined by his
wife and family, his son Jacob being then a lad of eight
years, and they made the journey on horseback. After his
arrival in Knox county Henry Davis opened a flour mill in
Mount Vernon, and as the years passed by he became known as one
of the prominent and leading business men of the county.
Jacob Davis, the father of our subject, became
his father's assistant after attaining to mature years, and from
that time until his twenty-seventh year he had almost entire
charge of his father's extensive business interests. In
1827, after his marriage, he removed to Monroe township, where
he was engaged in the milling business on his own account.
Success abundantly rewarded his well-directed efforts and he
soon took rank among the leading business men of his locality.
He became the owner of three flouring mills, a carding mill, a
woolen factory, where he was extensively engaged in the
manufacture of cloth, and also became the owner of about one
thousand acres of land, but he latter was taken from him through
a partner's loss and by going security for others.
Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was a
liberal supporter of all churches, the cause of Christianity
ever finding in him a firm friend. His political support
was given to the Democracy, and for many years he held township
offices. Mr. Davis was married in Mount Vernon,
Miss Elizabeth Downs becoming his wife. She was born
in Clinton township, Knox county, a daughter of George and
Rebecca (Thrift) Downs, both natives of the Old Dominion.
After coming to the Buckeye state the father acquired
considerable land in Clinton township, which is now known as the
Sperry farm, and also became the owner of six hundred and forty
acres in Monroe township. Mrs. Davis was an
excellent business woman, and after her husband's death she
succeeded in retrieving many of his lost possessions. They
became the parents, of nine children, five of whom are now
living, namely: Catherine, the wife of Silas Young,of
Monroe township; Harriet, who makes her home with her
sister, Mrs. Young; Margaret, the wife of W. R. Young,
also of Monroe township; Christiana, the wife of
John McArdle, of Buckeye City, Knox county; and James W.,
the subject of this review. The mother of this family
passed away in death in September, 1873.
James W. Davis acquired his early education in
the common schools of his locality, and afterward became a
student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, entering that
institution with the intention of preparing himself for a
profession, but after two terms there spent he was called home
on account of his brother's sickness. In accordance with
the wish of his mother, he then took up the quiet duties of the
farm, which has ever since claimed his time and attention.
After his marriage he located on a tract of one hundred and
fifty acres of his present homestead, a part of which was willed
to him by his mother, and the remainder he secured by purchasing
the interest of the remaining heirs. In 1882 he also
purchased the old home farm of one hundred and thirteen acres,
and in addition he owns a tract of seventy-five acres in the
northeast corner of Monroe township, all of which is under his
immediate supervision. His home farm is one of the best
improved in the township, and the many valuable improvements
which now adorn the place stand as monuments to his thrift and
ability. He is very enterprising and progressive in his
methods, and his well-directed efforts and unfaltering
perseverance have succeeded in winning for him a handsome
competence.
On the 14th of December, 1876, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Jennie Daymude, a
native of Monroe township and a daughter of William Daymude,
who was called to his final rest in 1861. The home of
Mr. and Mrs. Davis has been brightened and blessed by the
presence of five children, four of whom still survive,- Elmer,
a prominent farmer of Monroe township; and Herman, Belle
and William at home. Mr. Davis casts his
ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democratic party,
and for over twenty years he has faithfully served his township
as clerk. In his social relations he is a member of Mount
Zion Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Mount Vernon; Clinton Chapter,
No. 26, and Clinton Commandery No. 5, also of Mount Vernon; and
of the Grange, No. 874. P. of H.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 266 |
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JEFFERSON DAVIS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 24
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JOSEPH
S. DAVIS. (Joseph Slocum Davis) By the death of
this honorable and upright citizen the community sustained an
irreparable loss and was deprived of the presence of one whom it
had come to look upon as a benefactor and friend. Death
often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to
spare, whose lives have been all that is exemplary of the true
and thereby really great citizen. Such a one was Mr.
Davis, whose whole career, business, political and social,
served as a model to the young and an inspiration to the aged.
He honored the city which honored him with many positions of
public trust. His labors proved of great benefit to the
public and by his usefulness he created a memory whose
perpetuation does not depend upon brick and stone, but upon the
spontaneous and freewill offering of a great and enlightened
people.
Mr. Davis was born in Pickaway county, Ohio,
Nov. 21, 1812, a son of Henry and Avis Davis. His
father was a native of Cornish, New Hampshire, and was married
in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Avis
Townsend, who was born in that place. Subsequently
they removed to Ohio, locating in Ross county in 1808, while in
1811 they went to Pickaway county and in 1815 took up their
abode in Hillsboro, Highland county, where the parents of our
subject spent their remaining days. The father was a
merchant of Chillicothe, and through the conduct of his
commercial pursuits provided for his family. He had four
sons: Dr. Edwin Davis, of New York city, now deceased;
Rev. Werter Rennick Davis, a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, who spent most of his life in Baldwin City,
Kansas, where he was president of the Baldwin University; Dr.
William Davis, of Peru, Ohio; and the subject of this
review, who was the second in order of birth. All were
students in GAmbier College, in Knox county, were Episcopalians,
with the exception of one, in religious faith and all have now
passed away.
Joseph Slocum Davis, whose name introduces this
review, spent his youth in his parents' home and in early life
assisted his father in the store. His preliminary
education, acquired n the common schools, was supplemented by a
preparatory course in Gambier, Ohio, where he began his studies
in 1829. He afterward entered Kenyon College, in which he
was graduated in the class of 1835, and then, having determined
to make the practice of law his life work, he began reading in
the law office of Benjamin S. Brown, of Mount Vernon.
In 1836-37 he was a student in the Cincinnati Law School and in
the latter year was admitted to the bar. He began practice
in connection with Hon. Columbus Delano, but owing to a
severe illness was obliged to retire after some years of
practice. An analytical mind, strong reasoning powers and
keen intellectuality made him a powerful lawyer at the Knox
county bar. He became identified with journalistic
interests in 1848, being the first editor of the Line Whig,
which paper advocated the election of General Zachary Taylor
as president. In 1850 he was appointed deputy United
States marshal and took the census of Knox county, while in
1849, 1850, 1851, 1866, 1868, 1870 and 1871 he was elected mayor
of Mount Vernon. It is certainly an indication of his
ability and the confidence reposed in him that he was several
times recalled to the office after retirement therefrom.
His administration was ever practical and progressive. He
supported all measures which he believed would prove of public
benefit which were not of an extravagant nature and was always
found on the side of reform and improvement. His labors
proved very helpful and acceptable to the city and well did he
deserve the honor of being seven times called to be the chief
executive of his city. He was twice elected probate judge
of Knox county, his last term expiring in 1861. In 1864 he
was appointed by President Lincoln a paymaster in the army and
for a quarter of a century he was a member of the school board
of Mount Vernon, acting as its president for nine years.
The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he did all
in his power to raise the city. In 1869 the directors of
the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Delaware Railroad Company elected
him secretary and he held that position for quite a number of
years.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Moore, of Connelsville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Dr. Robert Moore, who came to Ohio at an early day, but
afterward returned to Connellsville, following the failure of
the Owlcreek Bank. There he soon died. His family
later again came to Ohio and here his daughter became the wife
of Joseph S. Davis. By the marriage were born four
children: Henry who served in the Unionh army during the
Civil war as captain of Company H, Twentieth Ohio Regiment,
afterward located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was a very
prominent Mason and died Jan. 1, 1901, at the age of sixty-four
years. Mary Davis died in 1886. Rollin H.
Davis, the second son, learned the jewelry business with
William Brown of Mount Vernon and afterward located in
Warren, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a jewelry store until
his death. The daughter, Anna Davis, is now the
widow of John W. Hall late of Columbus, Ohio, in which
city he owned and edited the Industrial Union. They had
two sons, Rollin Davis and Joseph John, who are
now in business in Mount Vernon. Their mother, Mrs.
John W. Hall is now living in this city in her father's old
homestead.
The death of Joseph H. Davis occurred in Mount
Vernon in December, 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age
and his wife passed away May 3, 1879. They ranked among
the most prominent citizens of Mount Vernon. Mr. Davis
was a man of firm convictions and was prompt and conscientious
in the discharge of public and private trusts. His was a
sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism and he had
the strongest attachment for our free institutions and was ever
willing to make any personal sacrifice for their preservation.
He was of stern integrity and honesty of purpose and despised
all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any
undertaking or for any purpose or to promote his own advancement
in any direction, whether political or otherwise. Not even
the tongue of calumny ever uttered a word to the contrary nor
did the malevolence of detraction date to assail his good name.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 67 |
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JEFFERSON DAVIS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 24
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HARMON J. DEBOLT
Source: The
Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 ~
Page 194
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WILLIAM I. DEBOLT
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 310
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EUGENE V. DEBS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 132
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STEPHEN DECATUR
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 101
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STANTON E. DEELEY
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 199
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WILLIAM DEERING
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 198
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C. Delano |
COLUMBUS DELANO
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 184
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JACOB H. DELONG
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 234
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LURESTON WILLARD DENNIS. L. W. Dennis is associated with both the
industrial and agricultural interests of Berlin township, where
he is now following carpentering and farming. He was born
in Guernsey county, Ohio, Mar. 12, 1862, and is one of ten
children born to William H. and Lydia (Perkins) Dennis.
His father was a native of Maryland and when young became a
resident of Washington county, Ohio, where he was reared and
educated. There he learned the millwright's trade, which
he followed through much of his active life. At the age of
eighteen years he was married to Miss Perkins, who
was born in Ohio. Both died in Guernsey county, and of
their children one died in infancy, while nine reached mature
years.
Abram Dennis, the father of William was a
native of New Jersey, and in 1865 came to Knox county, Ohio,
where he died in 1874, aged eighty-two years. His four
children were William H., Martha, Laura and Philip H.
Martha was never married, and her death occurred when she
was about fifty years of age. She had been a teacher for
some years, ever taking a deep interest in education, and much
of her life was devoted to those she loved. Laura
also has never married, and although well advanced in years she
is still living with her nephew, whose tender years were passed
under her personal direction. Philip is
a retired citizen of Maumee, Ohio, and his daughter Ella
is now and has been for nearly twenty years our subject's
housekeeper.
The parents of Lureston W. Dennis, of this
review, passed from life but a few weeks apart, and soon after
their death he became a member of his grandfather's family in
Knox county, being then but a lad of four years. When he
was twelve years of age his grandfather also died, and he was
then carefully trained by his two aunts, but the future they
planned for him was somewhat changed by the death of the elder
aunt, who passed away about one year after her father's death.
She had decided that he should have a thorough collegiate
training, an idea which was abandoned when she was taken from
the family. Inheriting a natural tendency toward mechanics,
Mr. Dennis learned the carpenter's trade, an
occupation to which much of his energy has since been devoted,
though he also looks after the work of the farm. Ever
maintaining a full appreciation for those whose love had done so
much for him, he resolved to assume the responsibilities of
caring for them when age had made him their natural protector.
In his social relations Mr. Dennis is a member
of Theall Lodge, No. 170, F. & A. M., at Fredericktown, also of
Clinton Chapter, R. A. M., and Clinton Commandery, both of Mount
Vernon, and of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite in Cincinnati. He devotes considerable
attention to lodge work, and attends the state and national
conclaves of Knight Templars.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 138 |
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CHAUNCY MITCHELL DEPEW
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 209
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HENRY C. DEVIN
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 59
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ANNA
DICKINSON
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 103
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DON
M. DICKINSON
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 139
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NELSON DINGLEY, JR.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 215
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PARMENIS N. DONAHEY
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 84
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IGNATIUS DONNELLY
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 161
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STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 53
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FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 43
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NEAL
DOW
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 108
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JUDSON R. DRAKE
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 126
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JOHN
WILLIAM DRAPER
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 184
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ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 124
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HENRY DUPONT
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 198
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BENJAMIN DURBIN.
Benjamin Durbin, who is now living retired
at his pleasant home in Danville, enjoying the fruits of his
former toil, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 8th of
May, 1828, a son of Baptist and a grandson of John
Durbin, both natives of Maryland. In early life the
latter was employed as a distiller, but he was a weaver by trade
and followed that occupation after coming to Ohio. His
death occurred in Howard township when he had reached the
eighty-second mile stone on the journey of life. He was of
German descent. His son and the father of our subject left
his native state when a young man and removed to Belmont county,
Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until 1832, the year of
his arrival in Knox county. Locating in Howard township,
he there carried on agricultural pursuits during the remainder
of his life, passing to the home beyond when he had reached the
age of seventy-four years. In Belmont county, Ohio, he was
united in marriage to Catherine King, a native of that
county, and she passed away in death at the comparatively early
age of forty-four years. Her father, John King,
came to this country from Ireland, his native land. Unto
this union fourteen children were born, eleven of whom grew to
years of maturity. After the death of the mother of these
children the father was again married, but there were no
children by the second union.
Benjamin Durbin, the second of his parents'
fourteen children, was but three years of age when he was
brought to Knox county, Ohio, and his education was obtained in
the district schools of Howard township. Remaining with
his father until his twenty-first year, he then, in 1850, went
to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he remained for the following
three years, on the expiration of which period he again went to
Howard township. From that time until his marriage he
remained with his father on the old homestead, and about 1863 he
came to Union township, purchasing and locating on the farm
which he still owns. His home place consists of two
hundred and forty acres of excellent land, all of which is under
a fine state of cultivation, and everything about the place
bears evidence of a progressive and thrifty owner. Success
has abundantly rewarded the well directed efforts of Mr.
Durbin, securing for him an excellent competence, and in
1898 he was able to put aside the active duties of a business
life and spend the remainder of his days in quiet retirement,
removing to Danville.
Mr. Durbin has been twice married. In 1857
he wedded Margaret McNaman, and they had the following
children, namely: William B., deceased; Alice
deceased; Clement, a prominent farmer of Union township;
Salora, the wife of Albert Loysdon of Wyandot
county, Ohio; Mary J., wife of Thomas Durbin of
Howard township; and Bertha, wife of William Grassbaugh
who resides on a farm belonging to our subject in Union
township. For his second wife Mr. Durbin chose
Elizabeth Porter the widow of Francis McNamara.
He cast his first presidential vote for Scott, and his
ballot was afterward cast in favor of Whig and Republican
candidates until he supported Buchanan in 1856, and he
also voted by Bryan at both elections. For six
years he served as trustee of Union township. Religiously
he is a member of St. Luke's Catholic church and has assisted in
the erection of its three houses of worship in this township,
the last one having been erected in 1895.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 233 |
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CHARLES WRIGHT DURBIN.
The subject of this sketch, who was a prominent citizen of
Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, was born in Morris township,
that county, Aug. 17, 1864, and died at Fredericktown, Dec. 25,
1891. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Wright)
Durbin, who settled at Fredericktown when Charles was
six weeks old. There the boy grew up and was educated in
the village school, later taking a classical course at the
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. For five years
succeeding his graduation he was superintendent of schools at
Fredericktown, and for about four years he filled the office of
county examiner of teachers. In politics he was a
Republican, and his convictions on religious questions led him
to affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Durbin married, Dec. 28, 1886, Lina
Craven, daughter of Leander and Leonora (Ewers) Craven,
who bore him three John Vincent, born May 2, 1888
children: Pauline, born June 29, 1889; and
Elizabeth, born Sept. 7, 1891. Mrs. Durbin
was born in Wayne township, Knox county, Mar. 7, 1865, and was
educated in the district schools near her childhood home and at
the Union school at Fredericktown, graduating in the latter in
May, 1882. Her parents were natives of Loudoun county,
Virginia. Her father was born in 1818, her mother in 1824,
and the former died Nov. 28, 1895, the latter June 20, 1898.
They were the parents of five children. Their daughter
Clara died in infancy, their son, William Franklin,
at the age of seventeen years, and their daughter, Marcella,
married Elias Cooper and died in 1886, aged
thirty-eight years, leaving daughters named Mildred and
Ada. Their daughter, Lilian Elizabeth,
married Milton Grove and lives in Morrow county,
Ohio.
Mrs. Durbin's paternal grandfather,
Mahlon Craven, was born in Virginia Mar. 13, 1786,
and married Hannah Iden Mar. 11, 1810, and they
had children named Shelton, Samuel, James,
Leander, John W., Thomas, Martha,
Sarah E., Eliza and Mary. When their son
Leander, father of Mrs. Durbin, was about
fifteen years old they located in Knox county, Ohio, and in 1857
Leander settled in Wayne township, where he cleared and
improved a large farm. Mrs. Durbin's maternal
grandfather, Gregg Ewers, married Elizabeth Ashford,
who bore him the following children: Leonora, Elizabeth,
Harriet, William Fenton and Mary. Leonara
and William Fenton Ewers are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewers were of English birth, and they
seem to have been brought when young to America by their
parents. Mrs. Durbin has a sugar bowl that
one of her great-grandmothers brought over with her from her
native land, a memento which Mrs. Durbin prizes
highly and which is an object of much interest to her many
friends.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 294 |
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HENRY P. DURBIN.
The name of Durbin is closely interwoven with the history
of Knox county, for at an early day its representatives came to
this part of Ohio and since that time members of the family have
been actively indentified with the line of work that leads to
the substantial development and improvement of a community.
From pioneer times down to the present they have been associated
with agricultural interests - and it is the work of the farm
that forms the basis of all business activity. Henry
Patterson Durbin is now engaged in the cultivation
of the soil upon an excellent farm in Morris township. His
ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides may be traced
back to Germany, but in the primitive period of American
settlement those from whom he traces his descent crossed the
Atlantic to the new world. Samuel Durbin, his
grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania an din that state was
reared and married. In 1810, accompanied by his wife, he
came to Knox county and entered a large tract of land from the
government, developing therefrom a farm which is still owned by
his descendants. Since that time the Durbins have
been classed among the leading citizens of Knox county on
account of their sterling worth and the efficient aid they have
given to all measures and movements for the general good.
Henry Patterson Durbin was born in Mount Vernon,
June 7, 1838, and to its public schools system he is indebted
for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Early in life
he went to Paris, Illinois, where he was married, on the 20th of
December, 1864, to Miss Mary Chilcoat, a daughter of
Nathaniel and Mary (Swope) Chilcoat. Seven children
have been born unto them, as follows Emery, who is
operating the old home farm with his father; Jessie E.,
the wife of James Parish, by whom she had four children
Ethel Adel, Frances Marie, Tina, deceased,
and Minnie; Lizzie, who died in 1893, at the age
of eighteen years; William R., who lives in Mount Vernon;
Miles, at home; one who died in infancy; and Grace,
wife of Ellsworth Johnson.
Mr. Durbin has for a number of years
resided in Morris township, where he owns and operated a
valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. The
industry which has ever been characteristic of his business
career has enabled him to overcome all the obstacles and
difficulties in his path and steadily advance on the high road
to success.
Thomas Emery Durbin, his son, who
is associated with him in the management and cultivation of the
home farm, was born in Paris, Illinois, Jan. 23, 1866, but
during his infancy was brought by his parents to Knox county.
He pursued his education in the public schools and then turned
his attention to the pursuit to which he had been reared - that
of farming. Experience and careful consideration have
taught him the best methods of tilling the soil so as to produce
good crops and annually his rich harvests add to his financial
resources.
On the 16th of February, 1898, Thomas E. Durbin
was married to Miss Birdie E. Hess, who was born July 7,
1878, and they are now the parents of two interesting little
sons, Dwight Russell and Floyd Hess.
Mr. Durbin is a member of the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, belonging to Timon Lodge, No. 4, and also to the
Uniformed Rank. He was also at one time associated with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his religious
faith he is a Methodist and in his political views is a strong
Republican, unwavering in his allegiance to the party which he
thinks best conserves the public welfare.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 41 |
| |
JOHN C. DURBIN.
Many years have passed since John C. Durbin became a resident of
Knox county and he has therefore witnessed much of its
development and progress as it emerged from a frontier
settlement to a county ranking with the best in this great
commonwealth. He feels just pride in what has been
accomplished and in the work of improvement he has borne his
part as a loyal and progressive citizen.
Mr. Durbin was born in Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, Apr. 27, 1839, and is the fifth son of ten
children born to John A. and Margaret (Logston) Durbin.
He was only five years of age when the parents came with their
children to Knox county and there amid the wild scenes of
pioneer life was reared. He lived in Howard township and
attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and in the
summer months worked in the fields planting, plowing and
harvesting. Here he resided until his marriage, which
occurred on the 20th of October, 1863, the lady of his choice
being Miss Margaret Colopy, a native of Coshocton county,
Ohio, born Aug. 22, 1838, her parents being Thomas and
Margaret (Bowman) Colopy. They were natives of
Ireland, were married in the Emerald Isle and one child was born
to them ere their emigration to America. Mrs. Durbin
is their fourth daughter and seventh child. She was reared
in Linton township, Cochocton county, the days of her
girlhood being passed as that of most of the girls of that
period. She attended the public schools and became
familiar with the different departments of housework under the
direction of her mother.
At the time of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Durbin
began their domestic life in Howard township, Knox county, and
upon their first farm remained for six years, after which they
spent thirteen years upon an other farm in the same township.
They next removed, in March, 1883, to the farm which has since
been their home. Here Mr. Durbin owns and operates
ninety-seven acres of land, all of which is under cultivation.
There are good buildings, including a new and commodious barn,
upon the place, and the farm is divided into fields of various
sizes by well kept fences. His is one of the most
attractive homes in the county. The cultivation bestowed
upon his land results in securing for him rich harvests and
annually his income increases.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Durbin have been born eight
children: Thomas B., who married Mary Jane Durbin,
a daughter of Benjamin Durbin; Francis J., who
wedded Agatha Swingle, a daughter of Christ
Swingle; Mary C., the wife of Clement E. Durbin;
Elizabeth B., the wife of Joseph Grassbaugh;
Peter, Ludjer, Raymond and Sylvester,
all of whom are still with their parents. The family
circle is yet unbroken by the hand of death and the youngest
child is now twenty-one years of age. All have been well
educated and three of the number have been successful school
teachers, while one of the sons is engaged in the grocery
business in Mount Vernon. The family are all communicants
of St. Luke's Catholic church at Danville and Mr. Durbin
took an active part in erecting the new house of worship there.
He has usually given his political support to the Democracy but
has never sought or desired political offices, believing that it
would interfere with his business whereby he is winning a
comfortable competence.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 149 |
| |
RAPHAEL DURBIN.
The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely
identified with the history of Knox county, which has been his
home since his boyhood days. He began his career here in
the early pioneer epoch of the county and throughout the years
which have since come and gone and has been closely allied with
its interests and upbuilding. He is a native of the
Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county,
on the 26th of October, 1833. His father, John A.
Durbin, claimed Maryland as the state of his nativity, where
he was born in 1800, and was there reared and married. In
1843 he made his way to Knox county, Ohio, locating in Howard
township, on the farm which was occupied by a brother of our
subject, Simeon Durbin, until his death, and there
the father's life's labors were ended in death, at the age of
fifty-three years. He was identified with the Whig party
and was a member of St. Luke's Catholic church, at Danville.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret
Logsdon, and she, too, was a native of Maryland. Her
death occurred when she had reached the age of seventy five
years. This worthy couple became the parents of eleven
children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity, seven sons and
three daughters, and of these six are still living.
Raphael Durbin, the third in order of
birth in the above family, was a lad of ten years when he came
with his parents to Knox county. His boyhood home was
located on the line separating Pennsylvania and Maryland, their
house having been located in the former state, while their barn
was in the latter, and in his native place he attended the log
school houses common in those early days. After coming to
this state he remained with his mother until his marriage, after
which he purchased and located on the farm which he still owns.
His place now consists of two hundred and thirty three acres of
excellent and well-cultivated land, on which he is engaged in
general farming and stock-raising. By persistent energy
and the display of considerable foresight he has succeeded in
his chosen occupation, and in 1880 he erected the large and
tasteful residence which now adorns the place.
In 1861 occurred the marriage of Mr. Durbin and Miss
Barbara A. Buck, who was born in Union township, Knox
county, and was a member of one of the early pioneer families of
that locality. Her parents, Everhart and Adeline Buck,
were natives of Germany, and came from that country to the
United States. On the 2d of October, 1881, while the
family were crossing a stream, Mrs. Durbin, her
sister Martha and one child, Mary, were drowned.
Another child, Julius Peter, is also deceased, and seven
still survive, - Edward, who is married and resides in
Howard township; Joseph A., John S., William E., Gertrude,
Frances and Leo, at home. The family are
members of St. Luke's Catholic church at Danville, in which
Mr. Durbin is an active worker, and he assisted materially
in the erection of its house of worship in this city. In
political matters he is a firm believer in the principles of the
Democracy. The cause of education has ever found in him a
warm friend, and for one term he served as a director of
schools. In manner he is courteous and genial, and among
the people with whom he has been so long connected he is quite
popular.
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 274 |
| |
GEORGE M. DUTT
Source: The Biographical Record of
Knox County, Ohio -
Publ. 1902 ~ Page 269
|
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