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"Brother Durbin, active member of the Supreme Council from
Indiana, was born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, May 4, 1847, and
with his parents moved to New Philadelphia in 1850. He was the
youngest of six brothers who served in the Civil War.
In 1869 he came to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the mercantile
business with Murphy, Johnson & Co. In 1879 he moved
to Anderson where he engaged in the banking business with his
father-in-law.
"Brother Durbin was made a Master
Mason in Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 319,
Indianapolis, February 21, 1871. After moving to Anderson he
demitted to Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 77, January 2, 1885. He
was mad a Royal Arch Mason in Keystone Chapter No. 6, Indianapolis,
April 1, 1875, and later became a member of Anderson Chapter No.
52. He was knighted in Raper Commandery No. 1, August
4, 1877. He was one of the petitioners for a commandery at Anderson
which was chartered in 1885, and of which he was named Eminent
Commander. He was started in the Grand Commandery line in 1890, and
also was appointed Inspector General and as such did meritorious
work. He was regularly advanced in line and served as Grand
Commander of Indiana in 1896.
"In the Scottish Rite, Brother Durbin
received the Fourteenth Degree in Indianapolis, January 27,
1875. On his removal to Anderson he did not continue the work
and it was not until December 9, 1886, that he received the Thirty-second
Degree at Indianapolis. He was made an honorary member of the
Supreme Council, Thirty-third Degree, September 19, 1899, and
as crowned an active member for Indiana September 20, 1917.
His Son William N. Durbin , of Anderson, also is a member of the Indianapolis
bodies.
"In business and civic life at Anderson, Brother Durbin
attained a high place and became the head of successful enterprises.
In the Spanish-American War he was colonel of the 161st
Indiana Regiment. Always a staunch party worker, he was elected
Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1900, and served
four years.
"Following his election as active member of the
Supreme Council, Brother Durbin took and active part in the Scottish
Rite war relief work and a lively interest in the affairs of the Indiana
bodies, becoming also a frequent visitor and speaker at convocations
in the Valley of Indianapolis..".
end of quote page 390
Landmark Editor's Note:
Emphasis Bold and Italics added 1999. Above written in 1924 while
Durbin still lived and was an AASR Active for Indiana; An Honor
which he shared with former Vice - President (and Fiji) Thomas Riley
Marshall in those years.
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