Durham - Joshua Bell
J. BELL DURHAM -- (Joshua)
Source: Waveland Independent July 1, 1932
As was noted last week, J. Bell Durham was seriously ill at home of his daughter, Mrs. Harold Bratton. He was taken to Robert Long hospital on Friday where he died at one o'clock on Monday morning. Funeral services at the Presbyterian Church on Tues afternoon were in charge of Rev. HH Elmore, assisted by Rev. Ray Sigler. The casket was borne by Thomas & James Durham of Sullivan, Raymond Durham of Indianapolis; John A. Johnson Guy and Thomas Durham. The flowers were Mrs. John Leander, Misses Lucile McCalin, Esther Johnson and Miss Spencer of Indianapolis. Burial was at Maple Ridge. The following obituary was read: Joshua Bell Durham, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana was born May 19, 1860 a son of Jesse Youce & Martha Tarkington Durham. He was born and reared on a farm. His education was that afforded by the public schools. He remained under the parental rooftree until 23, when he went to Graysville and commenced farming and then went to Danville, Ky, where he engaged in the horse business in company with his brother-in-law, WM Rue, after which he removed to Terre Haute, being made manager of the Edgewood Stock Farm. He managed this farm for 7 years, then returned to Turman Twp, Sullivan County. There he resided until 1918, then removed to Waveland, where he spent the remainder of his life, except for about 3 years in Indianapolis. Politically he was a supporter of the Democratic Party, and in his lodge affiliations he was connected with K of P of Montgomery Co and with No. 627 F&AM Graysville. Mr. Durham was first married in the 80s to Sittie Ellis, born in Montgomery County. She died after about 7 years. One child was born to this union, but died in infancy. He was married the second time Oct 5, 1898 to Miss Nellie Manning of Sullivan County. By this second married, 3 children were born: Laura Elizabeth Ingram of Macomb, Ill; Marion Younce of Crawfordsville; and Leila Belle Bratton of Waveland; all of whom survive, together with Peggy Ann Durham, Martha Louise Ingram and Jack & Jane Bratton, grandchildren; William Y, a brother, of Waveland and Laura D. Rue a sister of Danville, Ky. Nellie Manning Durham preceded him in death, December 6, 1930. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Waveland. "All too often we are prone to believe the Great Leveler reaches down into a community and ends the earthly life of some well beloved citizen. At one o'clock in the morning of June 26, 1932 the Great L. took from us Joshua Bell Durham after a brief illness of cerebral complications. Joshua Bell Durham, "Judge" as he was widely and affectionately known, was institution to his legion of friends. His loyalty, his friendliness, his immaculate cleanliness, his rugged honesty, his optimistic spirit, his hearty laughter were as welcome as the return of spring, as refreshing as the shower on a summer afternoon, traits or characteristics of the man, which were the essence of his being, are highly commendable, always, and particularly so in this troublous period. it should soften the sorrow of his children, his other relatives and friends, that he won and kept the unstinted friendship of innumerable acquaintances; that his suffering, his cares, his worried are over; and that the spirit of Joshua Bell Durham is at rest in that Valhalla of the sky, wherein only the nobles, truest and bravest of mortal souls are privileged to dwell. - kbz