OBIT: Fred DURR, 1931, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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FRED DURR

Fred Durr Dies at Ripe Old Age

Was for Many Years One of Outstanding Citizens of Pocahontas

  Fred Durr, for many years one of the outstanding citizens of Greenville 
Township and the village of Pocahontas, died at his home on Keystone Street, 
Meyersdale, on Friday morning, June 5, after a short illness due to the 
infirmities of old age, being aged 84 years when he passed away.
  Mr. Durr was born at Lauffen, Wittenberg, Germany, and came to this country at 
the age of 19 years.  After living a short while around Mt. Savage and 
Frostburg, Md., he became a resident of Greenville Township, Somerset County, 
Pa., and for many years was a leading citizen of that township and the village 
of Pocahontas.
  At the age of 20 he was united in marriage, by the late Squire John Yorty of 
Meyersdale, with Miss Amelia Rembold, and settled down on a farm near 
Pocahontas.  It required years of grubbing, stone picking and cultivation to 
develop this farm into one of the best in the township.  After retiring from the 
farm he moved into the village of Pocahontas and conducted a hotel there for 
many years.  He was of sociable disposition and made many friends.  He took an 
active part in township affairs and at one time or another filled about all of 
the various township offices, such as school director, supervisor, etc.
   His wife died in 1875 and about four years ago he and his son William, also a 
widower, moved to Meyersdale, where they occupied a house jointly with his 
widowed daughter, Mrs. Nannie Baer, and where he continued to reside until his 
death.
  He is survived by three sons, William and Charles of Meyersdale, and Louis, of 
Frostburg, Md., and three daughters, Mrs. Nannie Baer of Meyersdale, Mrs. Frank 
L. Yutzy of Pocahontas and Mrs. Lydia McGill, (formerly Mrs. E. J. Cramer) of 
Kent, Ohio.  He also leaves 25 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.  Two 
children, Henry and Belle, preceded him to the grave.
  He was a member of the Reformed Church for 67 years, having been confirmed in 
Germany at the age of 17.  Funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. E. 
Gindlesperger in St. Mark's Reformed Church, Pocahontas, at 3 o'clock, Monday 
afternoon, and were largely attended.  Interment was made in the Greenville 
Cemetery.  W. C. Price was the funeral director in charge. 
  Mrs. Edward Ruscha, a niece of Mr. Durr, from Missouri, and Walter Christner 
of Detroit, Mich., a grandson of Mr. Durr, and family arrived here shortly 
before he passed away.

Meyersdale Republican, June 11, 1931