BIO: George DURST, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  GEORGE DURST is now retired from the active labors of life, and 
occupies a comfortable home in Centre Hall, Centre county. His has been 
a long and busy career, with little time for idleness along the 
thoroughfare of life, where he has left his mark, and may truly feel 
that he has not lived in vain. He is a native of Centre county, born 
January 3, 1832, in Potter township, where for many years he was 
extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.
  George Durst, Sr., father of our subject, was born in Lebanon county, 
Penn., October 12, 1801, whence when a boy he was brought to Centre 
county by his parents, Peter and Barbara (Peters) Durst, also natives 
of Lebanon county. They located in Potter township, one mile west of 
Earlystown, where Peter Durst followed farming throughout his active 
business life, owning at one time three good farms. He lived to be 
quite old, and was buried at Tusseyville by the side of his wife. Both 
were devout members of the Lutheran Church. In their family were the 
following children: Peter, who died in Centre Hall; John, who died in 
Mercer county, Penn.; George; Daniel, who died in Potter township; 
William, who died in Kansas; Maria, who married Daniel Musser, and did 
in Freeport, Ill.; Sarah, who married John Smith, and died in Union 
county, Penn.; Elizabeth, who married George Smehl, and died in 
Clearfield county, Penn.; and Catharine, who married John Neff, and 
died in Centre Hall.
  When a boy, George Durst, St., began learning the wagon maker's 
trade, but, not liking it, turned his attention to farming, in which he 
met with excellent success. After his marriage he located upon a place 
his father owned in Potter township, and later purchased a farm one 
mile west of Earlystown, where our subject was born. There he continued 
to live until the spring of 1848, when he removed to a farm in Potter 
township, near the Gregg township line, having purchased the same of 
Col. Andrew Gregg. There he made his home during the remainder of his 
active business career, and going to Centre Hall lived retired for 
several years. Trading his town property for country land, he lived 
upon the place for a short time, but again 

298  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

returned to Centre Hall, where his death occurred March 8, 1882. He was 
buried at that place, as was also his wife, who died while visiting her 
son Hiram in Gregg township, June 25, 1878. She was a member of the 
Reformed Church, while Mr. Durst held membership in the Lutheran 
Church. In politics he was always a Democrat, but cared nothing for 
official distinction. He was a robust man, of powerful build, and being 
industrious, energetic and progressive, met with remarkable success in 
his undertakings, owning at one time five excellent farms. When his 
children started out in life for themselves he also assisted them very 
materially.
  In Harris township, Centre county, George Durst, Sr. was married to 
Catharine Meyers, who was born in Campbelltown, Penn., January 16, 
1804, and in 1823 came to Centre county with her parents, Henry and 
Elizabeth (Hurst) Meyers. They located near Boalsburg, where her father 
purchased a large tract of land. He was born in 1767, and died April 
19, 1844. He was a representative of the third generation of this 
numerous family in the United States, his father being Christopher 
Meyers. The grandfather came from Germany and located permanently near 
the source of Mill creek, in what is now Lancaster county, Penn. Mrs. 
Meyers was born in 1779, and died May 22, 1859. She was the mother of 
six children: Philip, Jacob, Catharine (the mother of our subject), 
Henry, Joseph and Mary.
  Mr. Durst, the subject proper of this review, is the fourth in order 
of birth in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: 
Joseph is a retired farmer living near Mifflinsburg, Penn. Cyrus is a 
retired farmer living near Boalsburg, Centre county; Priscilla married 
Henry Dale, and died in Ferguson township, Centre county; Elizabeth 
makes her home in Centre Hall; John H., who was a member of the 148th 
P.V.I. during the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, 
and died at the hospital in Harrisburg, Penn.; Philip is an 
agriculturist of Potter township, and Hiram is a farmer of Gregg 
township, Centre county.
  Our subject began his education at the Fairfield school house in 
Potter township under the direction of Uriah Slack, but as his services 
were needed on the home farm his education was limited. At the age of 
sixteen he accompanied his parents to Gregg township, where he assisted 
in the development and cultivation of his father's extensive farm, 
comprising over 400 acres, and continued under the parental roof until 
his marriage, giving his parents the benefit of his services even after 
he had attained his majority.
  In Juniata county, Penn., February 8, 1859, Mr. Durst wedded Miss 
Sabina Shellenberger, who was born in Fayette township, that county, 
July 26, 1828, a daughter of John and Catharine (Kiester) 
Shellenberger, the former also a native of Fayette township, and the 
latter of Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn. By occupation the father was 
a tanner and farmer. Mrs. Durst was the second in order of birth in a 
family of nine children - four sons and five daughters - and obtained a 
fair education for her time. By he marriage she has become the mother 
of two children: William H., born April 9, 1861, is a farmer of Potter 
township; and Adda J., born in April, 1863, is the wife of A. P. Krape, 
of Centre Hall.
  Mr. Durst began housekeeping upon a part of his father's large farm, 
which had been sold to his brother, Joseph, who, at that time, was 
desirous of selling out. The house was an old log structure, which 
served as a dwelling until 1887, when our subject built as good a 
residence as is to be found in Potter township. In 1886 he removed to a 
small house, which he had purchased, near his farm, while his son-in-
law operated the home place; but in 1889 he returned to the farm. In 
the spring of 1894, however, he came to Centre Hall, where he is now 
enjoying a well-earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilities 
of business life. However, he still owns a farm of 125 acres in Potter 
township, and nine acres adjoining Centre Hall. Although he has ever 
been a hard-working man, he is still well preserved. Politically, he is 
a supporter of Democratic principles; in religious faith he is a member 
of the Reformed Church. He takes a genuine interest in the enterprises 
set on foot for the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and 
takes high rank among the leading and representative citizens of the 
community.