BIO:  Isaac N. DURBORAW, Mountjoy Township, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 483-484

ISAAC N. DURBORAW, farmer, P. O. Two Taverns, was born October 31, 1838, on his 
grandfather’s homestead in this county.  His great-great-grandfather, John 
Durboraw, a farmer by occupation, had three sons:  Thomas (who begat John, Isaac 
and Absalom), John (who begat Thomas, John, Isaac, David and James), and Isaac.  
The last name farmed on land in this county, which is the site of Middletown; 
he, Isaac, married Martha Holmes, a descendant of an old family, and to this 
union were born the following named children:  Thomas, John and Isaac.  Of these 
Isaac came to Mountjoy Township, this county, and bought a farm of John 
McCallen, in 1804; he married Rebecca Beard, who died on our subject’s farm.  To 
Isaac and Rebecca (Beard) Durboraw were born William, Isaac H., John, Thomas and 
Samuel.  Their son Samuel was born June 8, 1800, on an adjoining farm; was 
educated in the subscription schools, though was mainly self-educated; he 
studied surveying, taught school in early life, and filled different township 
offices, serving as school director for twenty-five years, justice of the peace 
thirty years, and as member of the State Legislature from 1858, being re-elected 
to the office in 1859.  When the war of the Rebellion broke out he took an 
active interest in the cause of the Union, and was identified with the 
Republican party (formerly was a Whig).  He was in the revenue service of Adams 
County during the war, and before the battle of Gettysburg; was taken prisoner 
by the rebels at Hanover, but managed to effect his escape while they were 
trying to open the depot safe.  He hid in the wheat fields till night, when the 
dew was on the grain, and caught cold, from the effects of which he died the 
following year, March 18, 1864.  In his passing away Adams County lost one of 
her most useful and respected citizens.  He was upright and honest, and known, 
far and wide, for his many good qualities of head and heart.  Hon. Samuel 
Durboraw was thrice married, the first time to Miss Anna Brinkerhoff, who died, 
leaving one daughter, Mrs. M. R. Cress, who is yet living in Upper Sandusky, 
Ohio.  His second wife, Mary J. Horner, was a daughter of Alexander Horner, one 
of the pioneers; she died her January 17, 1849, aged thirty-seven years, the 
mother of three children now living:  Mrs. Sarah J. Coshun, Isaac N. and Mrs. 
Maria E. Hartman.  His third wife, Mary R. Coshun, who is yet living, is the 
mother of the Rev. Charles T. Durboraw, now of Kansas.  Isaac N. Durboraw was 
educated in the common schools, and for a short time studied under private tutor 
Converse, at Gettysburg; has been a farmer all his life, with the exception of 
the time he devoted to his country.  He enlisted June 8, 1861, in Company K, 
First Pennsylvania Reserves (he wanted to enlist when the first gun was fired, 
but his father did not think he could spare him); he was elected corporal, and 
promoted to second sergeant, and participated in all the engagements in which 
his regiment took part, except during a short time he was sick, and was wounded 
at Charles City Cross Roads June 30, 1862.  Our subject was married in the fall 
of 1864 to Miss Margaret E., daughter of Peter Conover.  The children born to 
this union now living are Mary J., Willie G., Addison H., Isaac N., Jr., Robert 
H. and Charles H. (twins), Martha E. and Margaret E.  Mr. and Mrs. Durboraw are 
members of the Reformed Church.  Politically he as been a life-long Republican, 
casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.  He has been elected five times 
justice of the peace in a Democratic township, and, besides, has served as 
school director two terms.