DURMAN-Thomas J. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Thomas J. DURMAN, merchant, Harveysburg was born Sept 17, 1840 in Fayette co IN and is a son of Harvey and Mary Moore Durman, both natives of VA. His father and mother live in Harvesyburg. Both are members of the Methodist Church. Thomas' grandfather Durman served under Harrison in the War of 1812. Thomas J. spent his youth on the farm. He received but a limited education yet is a good business man. He enlisted in Co H 21st Ind Vol. under Col. Keith. He fought in thebattles of Baton Rouge; Donaldsonville; Gun Boat Cotton; Port Hudson; Sabine Pass and smaller battles. After 3 years service he returned home and resumed his farm labor till 1865. At that time he embarked in business at Russell's Mills two years then moved to Harveysburg, where he opened a store and still does a large trade. He now carries a stock of about $14,000 with annual sales of from $25,000 to $30,000 his stock comprising dry goods, clothing, groceries etc. Mr. Durman is solidly republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married May 21, 1867 to Melinda P. THOMPSON daughter of Israel and Elizabeth Thompson old settlers of Parke County but now of Harveysburg. Mrs. Durham was born in 1843. They have two children dead and 3 living. Mr. and Mrs. Durman are members of Methodist Episcopal Church. -- kbz

Thomas J. Durman, a dealer in general merchandise at Kingman, having the largest and best-appointed store of the kind in the village, bears a high reputation throughout Fountain County as an honorable, straightforward business man. He is a native of Fayette County, this state, born Sept 17, 1840. His father was Harvey Durman, and was born in Virginia in 1817. He is a native of Fayette County, this state, born Sept 17, 1840. His father was Harvey Durman and was born in Virginia in 1817. He in turn was a son of William Durman, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. William Durman was born May 3, 1783. He married Eunice Reed, who was born Sept 16, 1788. She was a daughter of William Reed, who was also a Virginian and became a very early settler of Delaware County, this state and one of its prominent farmers. He had a very large family of children. Harvey Durman lived in his native Virginia until he was 17 years old, when he came to Indiana and for a time resided by the White River near Connersville, Fayette County. He there learned the trade of carpenter which he followed 25 years, principally in Missouri and Illinois. He spent his last days at Harveysburg in this state. He was a man of strict oral character, who took a great interest in religious work as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he was a Republican. Mr. Durman was married in this state at Cambridge, in Wayne County in 1839, to Miss Mary Ann Moore, who survives him at a venerable age. Her father, Samuel Moore, was a prominent farmer of Parke County and one of its first settlers, having located there as early as 1822. The parents of our subject had six children beside himself, Martha wife of Wesley Lindley of Mill Creek Twp; Samuel who is clerk in his brother's store Deborah C, deceased; James, deceased; Jonas, deceased; and BF, a farmer in Mill Creek Township. He of whom we write was educated in the schools of Hancock, Ill and Linn County, Mo.. He was just entering manhood when the war broke out and with true patriotic ardor he entered the service of his country in July, 1861 in eager response to Pres. Lincoln’s call for 300,000 volunteers. He was enrolled in Co H, 21st Indiana Infantry, and in the three terrible years of fighting, hardship and sacrifice that followed he stood steadfastly by his colors, and proved the worth of his soldiership on any a hard-fought battlefield. He was in several important engagements, including the battles of Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, Donaldsonville and Sabine pass also serving on the gunboat on Teche Bayour and taking part in innumerable skirmishes with the rebels. After 3 years' service in the army he was honorable discharged on account of the expiration of his term of enlistment. Returning to Indiana after his experience as a soldier in the South, Mr. Durman first engaged in selling goods for Campbell & Harter of Crawfordsville at Russell's Mills, Parke County and was at that point two years. He was then set to Harveysburg by that firm for the same purpose, and remained with them until 1878 when he bought a part of their stock, to which he added other merchandise, and commenced business for himself in that town. I n1887 he disposed of his interests there and coming to Kingman built a large store, 24 x 90 ' which is well arranged, and in it he carries about $15,000 worth of general merchandise of all kinds, except hardware and has a large and steadily growing trade, the sales amounting to as much as $20,000 a year. He employs two clerks, his brother Samuel and his son Paxton and the establishment is well conducted, business being done on a sound basis. Our subject was married May 21, 1867 to is Melinda P, daughter of Israel Thompson one of the well-known farmers of Parke County where he settled as early as 1834. Mrs. Durman was educated in Friends School at Bloomingdale, her parents being Quakers. She has departed from their faith and is a member in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.. Her marriage with Mr. Durman has been hallowed to them by the birth of the following children: Capitola, deceased; Ada, Paxton C; Herbert Byron and Lena, who are attending school. Our subject's war record is commemorated by his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Kingman and he has held the office of Chancellor-Commander. Politically, he is allied with the Republicans, and in his citizenship he is public spirited, and has never yet failed to do his duty as a loyal, free-born American. -- kbz