Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Durst, Fredoline 1848 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 23, 2006, 12:10 am Author: Tom Gregory (1913) FREDOLINE DURST One of the distinguishing characteristics of California is the fact that it has attracted men from all parts of the world. Here the Teutonic element finds an acceptable place for the exemplification of its traits of industry and perseverance; the French are attracted by the opportunity to develop their national trait of thrift; here are to be found the English with their firmness of will, the Irishmen with their cheery wit, the Scotch with their lofty principles of morality and religion, and the Italians with their love of the warm sunshine and genial air so like their own native land. Nor are there wanting industrious and successful Swiss in this fortunate region and many of them here, as their ancestors for generations in Switzerland, are distinguished by the manufacture of butter and cheese of unexcelled quality. Many generations of the Durst family (indeed as far back as the genealogy can be traced) followed the dairy industry in the foothills of the Alps and gained local prominence through their output of butter and cheese. The republic of Switzerland is the native home of Fredoline Durst, where he was born in the village of Thornhaus, Canton Grlarus, and there also were born his parents, Fredoline, Sr., and Magdalina (Strieff) Durst, proprietors of a small dairy farm from which by toilsome exertions they earned a scanty livelihood. Hoping to better their condition the family immigrated to the new world in the spring of 1854 and settled on the then frontier of Green county, Wis., where they bought land in the midst of a dense wilderness. The son, who was born August 15, 1848, had reached the age of five years at the time of the departure from the old world, hence he retains only vague recollections of his native country. He recalls with distinctness the voyage on the ocean, the subsequent trip to Wisconsin and the settlement in an isolated locality. It was his duty to assist in turning the first furrows on some Wisconsin land and to aid in the maintenance of the family, being indeed his father's right-hand man until he started out to earn Ms own way in the world. The parents continued at the old Wisconsin homestead and the mother died there in 1882; the father, now a rugged old man of eighty-six, still resides on the place improved by his own personal efforts during the pioneer era. Throughout his entire life Fredoline Durst, Jr., has been known familiarly as Fred and his oldest son, a prominent educator, represents the third generation bearing the same name. It was not possible for a boy on a frontier farm to enjoy educational advantages and hence he attended school seldom, his present wide fund of information having been gained by reading and observation, with the exception of such school attendance as his own determined efforts rendered possible. After he had commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith and carriage-maker in Madison, Wis., he was able to attend a common school for a short time and later he worked his way for one term at Mount Morris Seminary in the northern part of Illinois. Upon leaving Carroll county, that state, he went west as far as Nebraska and later for two years he worked in a saw-mill on the Nodaway river near Clearmont, Nodaway county, Mo. From that locality he came to California during 1873 and settled in Yolo county, where he was engaged in carpentering for about one year and later turned his attention to farming. During 1878 he traveled by steamship to the Klickitat country, Washington, and thence returned by steamer from Portland, finding the trip so thoroughly enjoyable that the next year he again traveled north, this time by team and wagon, to Spokane Falls, Wash., and every night during the journey of three months he slept out-of-doors. The expedition brought him renewed health and strength and also gave him an excellent opportunity to inspect the country through which he traveled. One hundred and sixty acres, forming the nucleus of his present property, were acquired by Mr. Durst in the spring of 1880. The place had no improvements whatever except a small house illy fitted to accommodate a family in comfort. To this ranch he brought his young wife, whom he had married in Yolo county during the spring of 1879 and who was Miss Augusta Fritag, a native of Pomenia, Germany, but after 1870 a resident of California, where she made her home in Sacramento for a short time. With the assistance of his capable wife Mr. Durst has completely changed the appearance of the ranch since he bought the property. The house was remodeled and shade trees were planted that greatly beautify the grounds, while there are also fruit trees with all varieties of fruit desired for the family use. A substantial barn has been erected as well as other farm buildings. From time to time additional land has been acquired, until now nine hundred and sixty acres are embraced within the limits of the home ranch. Wheat and barley are the principal products and bring in a neat annual income through the skilled cultivation of the soil. In the pastures are usually kept about sixty head of cattle and there is also other stock on the place, notably Berkshire and Poland-China hogs representing the best types of their breed. It has been the happy fortune of Mr. and Mrs. Durst to rear a family of sons and daughters of whom they may well be proud. The eldest son, Prof. Fred M. Durst, is now vice-principal of the Watsonville high school. Herman, who finished his education in a commercial college, is now engaged in the furniture business at Carson City, Nev. John H., who also took a course in a business college, is now farming near Dunnigan. David M. is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, class of 1912. Frank C. is a graduate of the Woodland high school, class of 1911, and now a teacher in Yolo county. The youngest sons, George and Oscar, are still at home. The elder daughter, Magdalena, is the wife of Charles Ledder, a rancher of Glenn county. The younger daughter, Freda, a graduate of the Western Normal, Stockton, is now teaching in Colusa county. The family are identified with the German Lutheran Church. In national elections Mr. Durst votes with the Democratic party, but locally he supports the candidates whom he considers best qualified to represent the people. For a time he served as a director in the local schools and also acted as clerk of the school district. Thirty-three years have passed since he came to his present ranch and meanwhile he has witnessed the growth of the county, having indeed contributed largely to the same through his own progressive efforts and judicious labors as an agriculturist. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/durst683bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 7.6 Kb