Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Durand, George H. 1838 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 28, 2007, 1:08 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

HON. GEORGE H. DURAND. It is always interesting to trace the small things that
have had their influence in changing the channel of a man's life course. Our
subject, besides his high standing as a lawyer, has as a sequence to that
standing, attained a political prominence that would not have come to him had he
adhered to his original intention, which was to be a farmer. His course in life
was changed by the influence of a lawyer, who directed his attention to a book
entitled "Cowen's Treatises," which so pleased the young man that he recognized
his logical tendencies and determined to adopt the law as his profession.

  Although known in divers [sic] and agreeable ways, perhaps more widely so as
Past Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan, his reputation as
an able lawyer and one to whom statescraft is familiar, is widely extended
throughout this State. That he stands high in the estimation of the people of
his locality is shown by the fact that they have honored him with the highest
office within the gift of his district. In 1875-76 he was elected member of
Congress from the Sixth District, and his constituents were fully satisfied with
the ability and dignity with which he presented their claims before the general
representatives of the people.

  Mr. Durand is one whose face is a mirror wherein is reflected a most pleasing
frankness, open-heartedness and liberality, and his honesty has become
proverbial. By the people of his immediate locality he has been elected to
various high positions and has served as Mayor of the city. Having struggled
hard for his position, he has risen to the the [sic] top of the ladder and
enjoys the rare confidence of his fellow-men. Mr. Durand was born in Cobleskill,
Schoharie County, N. Y., February 21, 1838.

  When a boy our subject went to Moorehouse, Hamilton County, N. Y., and lived
in the inspiring altitude of the Adirondack Mountains from six until fourteen
years of age, and thence went with his family to Livingston County, N. Y., where
he was brought up on a farm near Mt. Morris. He attended the common schools and
finished at Lima College, where he spent two terms and then engaged in teaching
for one winter. Thinking to better his condition, in the fall of 1856 George H.
Durand came to Michigan and in the spring of 1858 located in Flint. He at once
began the study of law under Col. Fenton, but made his headquarters at Goodrich.

  Our subject was admitted to practice al the Genesee County bar in 1858, when
he located permanently in this city, and although his practice has been large
here it has not been confined to this point alone, but has extended throughout
the State. Aside from his regular law practice, Mr. Durand has held numerous
local offices as well as more exalted positions. As a lawyer he is recognized as
able and painstaking, having a broad grasp of the philosophy of the law. He has
been interested in many important cases which have shed lustre on the
jurisprudence of the State. He has been Alderman and School Director, and was
Mayor during the term of 1873-74, and in the last-named year was nominated
member of Congress on the Democratic ticket. He held this position during
1875-76, and then retired in order to give his attention exclusively to the law.
While in Congress he served as Chairman of the Committee on Commerce.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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