Durham - John L. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

DR. JOHN L. DURHAM is the first son of eight children born to Jesse Y. a nd Martha F. (Tarkington) Durham, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ten nessee. The father was of English descent, and emigrated to Montgomery Cou nty, Ind., in 1850, where himself and wife still reside, well advanc ed in years. John L. was born in Boyle County, Ky., October 26, 1844, rema ining with his parents until of age, and receiving an academic educatio n. He then engaged in farming, continuing about eight years, and then beg an the study of medicine with Dr. A. T. Steele, of Waveland, Montgomery Co unty, with whom he read about two years, after which he took two cours es of lectures in the Medical Department of the University of Louisvill e, Ky., graduating in 1879. He commenced the practice at Merom, but abo ut a year and a half later moved to Graysville (January 1, 1881). He re he has since lived and practiced. He practices over a large secti on of country, has a pleasant home in Graysville, and owns 305 acres of fi ne, cultivated land, upon which he grazes stock for market. In politic s, he is a Democrat. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and he and wife a re members of the Presbyterian Church. October 5,1881, he married Mrs. Ma ry M. (Mann) Davis, daughter of James B. and Fidelia (Turman) Mann. No chi ldren have been born to this union.

=========

Source: Waveland Independent, July 15,1921

On Monday monring, June 13, 1921 the Great Architect of the universe erased the plans from the tres tle board of Dr. John L. Durham and summoned his spirit to dwell with H im forever in realms of light and life eternal.  Today, his friends and ne ighbors are gathered at this beautiful country home, so ideal and cordi al in its atmosphere and surroundings, to do him honor, to pay a last trib ute of respect and affection to to a life well spent -- a life that w as a benediction and an inspiration to all whose privilege it was to me et an dknow Dr. Durham.  He is gone.  No more shall we see his kindly fa ce or feel the warmth and sincerity of his hand clasp, or hear his voi ce in cordial greeting or friendly counsel but memory of him, of his work s, his strength of character, his ministrations to the comfort and he lp of others, his bountiful, hospitality and kindness of heart, will rema in as a guide and inspiration throughout the years.  His life was lived f or and among his friends and neighbors.  There were no hidden chapte rs -- openness of conduct -- sincerity of speech -- courage of action -- a nd devotion to righteous cfause -- were prominent and predominating attrib utes of his character.  As a friend, his constancy and integrity never wav ered and in the bigness of his heart, he loved to be doing things that wou ld bring pleasure to others.  As a host, his hospitality was imcomporabl e. Many are they in this county and elsewheres who have shared and enjoy ed with him the bounty of his home.  As a husband and a father, he was a ll that his Maker could have intended - wise and patient counselor - gener ous in his provision - steadfast and true in his obligations. in the pract ice of his profession he was, until recent years when he became less activ e, energetic, efficient, modern and eminently successful.  As a citize n, he was an honor to his country, and his state, both of which he serv ed with distinction.  As a man, he was four square - courageous, sympathet ic, generous and true. His fidelity to his friends and his absolute and po sitive integrity in everything he undertook, are the salient features of h is strong character and personality.  He was essentially delightful in h is manner, which was that of a gentleman at all time and places.  He w as an interesting conversationist and convincing with his foresight and lo gic.  Verily it ay be said, "He was a good man and true."  John L. Durh am was born in Boyle Co, Ky, Oct 26, 1844 and departed this life at his ho me in Sullivan Co, Indiana, aged 76Y7M10D.  He was the eldest son of Jes se Y & Martha (Tarkington) Durham, sturdy pioneers in the early histo ry of Kentucky and Indiana.  In 1850 his parents moved from Ky. to Montgom ery Co, Indiana near Waveland where he spent his early life and attended d istrict school and the Waveland Academy.  He began the study of medicine w ith Dr. AT Steele and continued for 4 years under his instruction.  In t he fall of 1878 he entered the medical department of the louisville (KY) U niversity from which he later graduated in 1880. He began the practi ce of medicine at Waveland but in 1879 moved to Merom, practiced there f or a short time and in January 1881 located at Graysville.  Here he contin ued his profession until the fall of 1887, when he moved to the present ho mestead. Dr. Durham was married to Mrs. Mary (Mann) Davis on Oct 5, 1881 a nd to them three children were born: Thomas M; James J and Martha Hayes; a ll of whom survive, besides four grandchildren, the children of Thom as M. and Martha three brothers and one sister. Six weeks ago, Mrs. Mary M ann Durham, the devoted wife and companion of Dr. Durham, preceded h im to her heavenly home, where together again they shall remain in consta nt association throughout eternity. Dr. Durham was one of the early presid ents of the Merom Bluff Chautaqua Association, in which capacity he serv ed for three years, and was at the time of his death a member of the AMeri can, Indiana and SUllivan co. Medical Associations.  He was a member of h te Presbyterian Church and politically a Democrat. Under the administrati on of Pres. Cleveland, he served on the US Pension Board and in Feb 1908 w as nominated for representative on the Dem. ticket, to which office he w as elected Nov 3, 1909. He was a member of the IOOF and Masonic fraterniti es, and a Knight Templar. Despite the exactions of the practice of medicin e, Dr. Duham took a keen delight in farming, and acfcquired during his li fe many acres of rich Wabash bottom farm lands. He was a progressive and s uccessful farmer and spent the latter years of his life, after retirment f rom active practice in the management of his farm.  Here in the friendly s hade and protection of the trees, in the comfort of an ideal home, loved a nd respected by family and friends, Dr. Durham came to the end of Life's h ighway.  Quiet serene and peaceful, as the passing of a cloud in the summ er sky, his end cam e-- "God spoke and his spirit responded."  Truly it m ay be siad of him that "he who notes even the sparrow's fall, ahs writt en on the Lamb's book of life, "Well done, good and faithful servant ent er thou into the joys of thy Lord."

=============

Source: Waveland Independent, Jule 17, 1921

Dr. John L. Durham died at his home near Graysville on Monday. He has be en suffering from cancer of the face, and latterly from paralysis, so h is death was not unexpected. His wife died a few weeks ago. Funeral servic es were held on Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. WY Durham and sons, Frank and Haro ld, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bell Durham and daughter, Laura and Irving Hostetler d rove down on Wednesday morning. Dr. Durham was the son of J Youse and Mart ha Tarkington Durham and was the eldest of 8 children. He was b. in Boy le Co Ky in 1844. WHen he was quite young his parents moved to Indiana a nd settled on the old Durham farm, NW of town. He grad. from the Louisvil le Medical College and moved to Merom 41 years ago. He shortly moved to Gr aysville, near which place he lived the remainder of his life. He was successful as a physician and as a business man and accumulated an estate of s everal hundred acres. He leaves two sons and one daughter; three brothers, George; J. Bell and Will Y; and one sister, Mrs. Laura Rue of Danville, Ky.

=============

Source: Waveland Independent, July 15,1921

On Monday monring, June 13, 1921 the Great Architect of the universe eras ed the plans from the trestle board of Dr. John L. Durham and summoned h is spirit to dwell with Him forever in realms of light and life eternal. T oday, his friends and neighbors are gathered at this beautiful country hom e, so ideal and cordial in its atmosphere and surroundings, to do him hono r, to pay a last tribute of respect and affection to to a life well spent a life that was a benediction and an inspiration to all whose privile ge it was to meet an dknow Dr. Durham. He is gone. No more shall we see h is kindly face or feel the warmth and sincerity of his hand clasp, or he ar his voice in cordial greeting or friendly counsel but memory of hi m, of his works, his strength of character, his ministrations to the comfo rt and help of others, his bountiful, hospitality and kindness of heart, w ill remain as a guide and inspiration throughout the years. His life was l ived for and among his friends and neighbors. There were no hidden chapters

openness of conduct

sincerity of speech

courage of action

and devotion to righteous cfause

were prominent and predominating attributes of his character. As a frien d, his constancy and integrity never wavered and in the bigness of his hea rt, he loved to be doing things that would bring pleasure to other s. As a host, his hospitality was imcomporable. Many are they in this Coun ty and elsewheres who have shared and enjoyed with him the bounty of his h ome. As a husband and a father, he was all that his Maker could have inten ded - wise and patient counselor - generous in his provision - steadfast a nd true in his obligations. in the practice of his profession he was, unt il recent years when he became less active, energetic, efficient, modern a nd eminently successful. As a citizen, he was an honor to his country, a nd his state, both of which he served with distinction. As a man, he was f our square - courageous, sympathetic, generous and true. His fidelity to h is friends and his absolute and positive integrity in everything he undert ook, are the salient features of his strong character and personalit y. He was essentially delightful in his manner, which was that of a gentle man at all time and places. He was an interesting conversationist and conv incing with his foresight and logic. Verily it ay be said, "He was a go od man and true." John L. Durham was born in Boyle Co, Ky, Oct 26, 1844 a nd departed this life at his home in Sullivan Co, Indiana, aged 76Y 7M 10 D. He was the eldest son of Jesse Y & Martha (Tarkington) Durham, stur dy pioneers in the early history of Kentucky and Indiana. In 1850 his pare nts moved from Ky. to Montgomery Co, Indiana near Waveland where he spe nt his early life and attended district school and the Waveland Academ y. He began the study of medicine with Dr. AT Steele and continued for 4 y ears under his instruction. In the fall of 1878 he entered the medical dep artment of the louisville (KY) University from which he later graduat ed in 1880. He began the practice of medicine at Waveland but in 1879 mov ed to Merom, practiced there for a short time and in January 1881 locat ed at Graysville. Here he continued his profession until the fall of 188 7, when he moved to the present homestead. Dr. Durham was married to Mr s. Mary (Mann) Davis on Oct 5, 1881 and to them three children were bor n: Thomas M; James J and Martha Hayes; all of whom survive, besides four g randchildren, the children of Thomas M. and Martha three brothers and o ne sister. Six weeks ago, Mrs. Mary Mann Durham, the devoted wife and comp anion of Dr. Durham, preceded him to her heavenly home, where together aga in they shall remain in constant association throughout eternity. Dr. Durh am was one of the early presidents of the Merom Bluff Chautaqua Associatio n, in which capacity he served for three years, and was at the time of h is death a member of the American, Indiana and Sullivan co. Medical Associ ations. He was a member of hte Presbyterian Church and politically a Democ rat. Under the administration of Pres. Cleveland, he served on the US Pens ion Board and in Feb 1908 was nominated for representative on the Dem. tic ket, to which office he was elected Nov 3, 1909. He was a member of the IO OF and Masonic fraternities, and a Knight Templar. Despite the exactio ns of the practice of medicine, Dr. Duham took a keen delight in farmin g, and acfcquired during his life many acres of rich Wabash bottom farm la nds. He was a progressive and successful farmer and spent the latter yea rs of his life, after retirment from active practice in the manageme nt of his farm. Here in the friendly shade and protection of the tree s, in the comfort of an ideal home, loved and respected by family and frie nds, Dr. Durham came to the end of Life's highway. Quiet serene and peacef ul, as the passing of a cloud in the summer sky, his end came

"God spoke and his spirit responded." Truly it may be siad of him that " he who notes even the sparrow's fall, has written on the Lamb's book of li fe, "Well done, good and faithful servant enter thou into the joys of t hy Lord."

=======

Source: Waveland Independent, Feb 5, 1909 - "Two Solons" -- M.J. Murphy of Crawfor dsville, Democrat, has plenty of dark brown hair which falls to hide a go od forehead.  He is a big man physicially, square-jawed, regular profil e, one of the handsome men of the House.  John L. Durham, Democrat, from S ullivan is a physician. He is gray-haired and handsome.  He has  a big hea d, bald from forehead to crown, and wears a beard and mustace, the only fl owing attachment of that kind in the House.  His complexion is rudd y.  He has taken no part in any of the debates. Indianapolis Star