David M. Durfee
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives
May be copied for non-profit purposes.

Judge David M. Durfee, senior member of the prominent 
law firm of Durfee & Brown, Phillipsburg, Montana is 
well known throughout the state and it is with pleasure 
that we present the following sketch of his life in this 
work;Judge Durfee was born in Schenectady County 
New York, July 22, 1855. He is descended from Scotch-
Irish ancestors 
who were early settlers in Rhode Island, his forefathers 
being prominent in Colonial times as well as later in the 
history of this country. His great-grandfather, Isaac 
Durfee, joined the Continental army and rendered his 
country valuable service as Captain of one of the 
volunteer companies during the whole of the Revolutionary 
struggle.
 
His home was in Washington County, New York and his son, 
Abram born there in 1775 was the Judge's grandfather. 
Abram Durfee married Mahetable Potter, who was descended 
from an old Quaker family. One branch of her family, the 
Granvilles, took a prominent part in the struggle for 
independence. This worthy couple became the parents of 
ten children, all of whom reached maturity. The father
was a farmer, a prominent Mason and a Universalist. 
He reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife 
passed away in her seventieth year. Their son, David Potter 
Durfee was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady County New York 
in 1812 and in his occupation his fraternal relations and 
his religious belief, he followed in the footsteps of his 
father. His wife, Caroline, also a native of Schenectady 
County, was born in 1818, she being of German origin. Her 
great-grandfather was an officer in Queen Anne's army. 

One of her uncles, because of the prominent part he took 
against the English Government was declared an outlaw and 
a reward of one hundred pounds sterling was offered for 
his arrest. David P. and Caroline Durfee had nine 
children, our subject being the eighth-born and one 
of the six who are still living. The father lived to 
the age of seventy-six years, and the mother was in 
her sixty-firt year at the time of her death. She 
held to the faith of the Presbyterian Church.

Judge Durfee was reared on his father's farm. His early 
education was received in the public schools and he took 
a finishing course in the Schoharie Academy. When he was 
twenty-two he began the study of law in the office of N.P. 
Hinman in Albany where he remained one year. After this he 
went to Somerset County Maryland and taught two 
years, in the meantime cnotinuing his law studies in the 
office of Levin T. Waters, of Princess Anne, Maryland. 

In the winter of 1882 he was admitted to practice by the 
Court of Appeals, in Annapolis. He then came to Montana,
where he continued teaching school two years longer, thus 
paving his way to professional success. In 1884 he was the 
Democratic candidate for Judge of Probate, but was defeated 
by Mr. Oren Emerson. Two years later, in the fall of 1886 
he was nominated and elected County Attorney of Deer 
Lodge County. In the summer of 1889 he was 
nominated and elected a member of the Territorial 
Convention, whixh convention completed the present 
Consitiution of Montana and in the fall of that same 
year he was elected Judge of the Third Judicial 
District, in which capacity he served for three years, 
his decisions being rendered with the utmost fairness 
and very few of them being reversed by the higher courts. 
Upon the expiration of his term as Judge he resumed the 
practice of law at 
Phillipsburg and under the firm name of Durfee and Brown 
has conducted a successful business.

Since taking up his residence in Phllipsburg, the Judge 
has become interested in mining operations, being one of 
the partners in the Sunrise Mining Company. This company 
has valuable gold-mining property. He has also invested in 
real estate. He owns 160 acres of land near the town, which 
is improved with good residence,,etc. and where he resides 
with his family.

He was married February 1, 1888 by Cardinal Gibbons to 
Emily J. Irving, a native of Baltimore, Maryland.They 
have three hcildren: Eulalie, Thomas I. and Adelaide.

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