Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Durrance, Charles M. February 26, 1888 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 August 27, 2015, 12:17 am

Source: Vol. II  pg.59 The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present

        CHARLES M. DURRANCE, a leading member of the Duval County bar, has
since commencing practice at Jacksonville in 1913, gained a reputation as one
of the most forceful lawyers of the local bar, and as a criminal lawyer has few
peers throughout the state. His keen analytical mind affords him unusual
facility in working out the details of a case, and it is said that before going
into the courtroom he must know that he is thoroughly prepared for every
development that may arise during the trial. His contemporaries are quick to
acknowledge his special abilities and his high position among the lawyers of
the state.
	Mr. Durrance was born February 26, 1888, at Fort Meade, Polk County,
Florida, and is a son of JOSEPH G. and ETTA (SAULS) DURRANCE. His paternal
grandfather, JESSE DURRANCE, was born in Georgia and was a young man when he
migrated to Florida, settling as a pioneer in what is now Polk County. There,
while endeavoring to establish a home in the wilderness, he was forced not only
to withstand the privations and hardships of life on the frontier, but on
numerous occasions fought off the attacks of hostile Indians and gained a
reputation as an Indian fighter, a recognition that was also granted his six
brothers. His sister married a member of the Tillis family, famous in its day
for the Indian fighting proclivities of its men. In his later years JESSE
DURRANCE settled down to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, and developed a
productive and valuable property.
	JOSEPH G. DURRANCE was born in Polk County, Florida, in 1867, and was 
reared on his father’s farm, where he was instructed in all the departments of
agricultural work.  He has kept close to the soil and the activities of his
career, and at this time is one of the leading orange growers of Florida,
owning no less than eight producing groves, several which are among the largest
in Florida. He also owns a large packing house and engages extensively and
profitably in the business of cattle raising. Politically he is a democrat, but
has not taken an active part in public affairs. Mrs. Durrance, who also
survives, is a native of Bradford County, Florida.
	The eldest in a family of 11 children, CHARLES M. DURRANCE secured his 
early education in the public schools of Fort Meade and then entered John B. 
Stetson University at DeLand, Florida, from which he was duly graduated after
taking a literary course. He then centered his attention in the study of law at
the University of Virginia, and was graduated therefrom in 1913 with the degree
of Bachelor of Laws. Coming at once to Jacksonville, he entered upon the
practice of his calling. This was at first general in its character, but
gradually he began to give more and more attention to criminal cases, and at
present is acknowledged one of the leading legists in this department to be
found in the state. He has been identified, on one or the other side, with most
of the big cases that have come before the courts in recent years, including
the famous Shepherd, the Georgia Peach King, the J. L. WEST and the
Higginbotham cases. Mr. Durrance is a valued member of the Duval County and
Florida State Bar associations, and as a fraternalist holds membership in the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Theta Chi,
and Delta Sigma Rho forensic fraternity, and others, in addition to which he
has a number of social and civic connections. As a voter he supports the
candidates of the democratic party.


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