Henry Patterson Durbin

As printed in 1902

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 identified 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 material 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 and in that state was reared and married. Li 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 (Swoise) 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. Tliomas Emery Durbin, his son, who is associated with him in the management and cultivation of the home farm, was born in Paris. Illinois, January 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.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.