Ionia County MI Archives Biographies.....Durkee, Charles M. September 5, 1829 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Sedore am0773@a1access.net January 2, 2007, 8:48 pm Author: Chapman Brothers - 1891 Portrait & Biographical Album of Ionia & Montcalm Counties, Michigan Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 702 Charles M. Durkee. The traveler in going past the Durkee homestead invariably turns for a second glance, as there is an air of comfort and plenty about it that is exceedingly pleasant to the eye. He at once singles it out as the result of more than ordinary enterprise and industry, a home whose proprietor possesses all the attributes of a good citizen, one who has first looked after the interest of his family, and who next, as a member of the community, presents an example to those around him which is well worthy of imitation. Mr. Durkee belongs to substantial New England stock; his father, Martin Durkee, was a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the War of 1812. His mother, Sallie (Perry) Durkee, was related to Commodore Oliver H. Perry, of historic fame, and she also resided in Massachusetts. After their marriage the parents of our subject remained in the old Bay State until their removal to Geauga County, Ohio, where they did pioneer work in the early days. There they passed the remainder of their lives upon a farm, which they had improved; he died in 1873 leaving his widow to mourn his loss until she too was called away in 1885. By a previous marriage he had become the father of four children, and of the second union six children were born, all of whom with the exception of one now survives. In his religious faith Martin Durkee leaned to the doctrines of Universalism. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, filling offices of trust for his fellow citizens when called upon, and at one time serving as Trustee of the township. The gentleman whose name initiates this notice was born in Massachusetts September 5, 1829, and grew to manhood in Ohio, receiving a district school education there, and beginning farm work for himself when he reached his majority. His father had passed through the struggles of pioneer life, and as a result of his industry was established in a good home and well to do. Our subject, trusting to his strong right arm for prosperity worked out by the month and for three years was in the Sough finding employment there. In 1852 he went back to Ohio to find him a wife, and was married on February 22 to Miss J. E. Hubbard, a daughter of Henry and Loadicea (Sanger) Hubbard, Massachusetts people. Mr. Hubbard was in early life a mechanic but later took up the work of farming. Having married in Massachusetts he removed to the Buckeye State in 1835 settling in Geauga County on a farm. He died in 1869 leaving his widow to mourn his loss. Sox of their seventeen children are now living. Mrs. Durkee, the fifth child of her parents, was born November 23, 1834, in Massachusetts and received an excellent education in Ohio. After marriage the young couple worked the home farm on share for two years. They then came to Michigan in 1854 and settled upon the farm, which they now occupy. Mr. Durkee took up one hundred and sixty acres of raw land upon which there were no roads and no improvements. He built a log house and began clearing off the land. Industry, frugality and enterprise led to prosperity, and he has from time to time added to his possessions and now has two hundred acres I the home farm and one hundred and twenty acres in Odessa Township besides a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he has divided between his sons. He has chopped own and cleared on the home place with his own hands over one hundred acres. Of his two hundred acres Mr. Durkee has one hundred and eighty under cultivation. His present residence was built some twenty-two years ago at a cost of $2,000. He is interested in culture of fruit and set out a fine orchard. He carries on mixed farming, raising both grain and stock. Mr. Durkee and his intelligent wife are happy parents of five children: Lafayette H. married Lottie Chatman, and lives on section 4, Odessa Township; he has four children. C. Fremont married Lizzie Brown, and resides in Berlin Township. Lester M. married Mary Van Houten, and lives on section 4, Odessa Township; he is the father of two children. Don D. and Ellis W. are unmarried and reside at home. They have all been given the advantages of a good education and Lafayette was a student at the Ionia and Saranac schools. Ellis is attending the Poucher Business College in Ionia. Mr. Durkee is in principle a strong Democrat and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. The whole family are wide-awake to all matters of literary interest and education. Mr. Durkee has been for some years Director of the school. They are also active in the society of the Patrons of Industry, the father having been for two terms President of the local society and his son Don being President at the present time. A view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Durkee appears on another page. 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