My Genealogy Hound

L. B. Durkee was born January 9, 1842, near Wyaconda Creek, and is the third son of Roswell and Caroline (Hawkins) Durkee. The father was born in this State, and the mother in Kentucky. Our subject lives in this county, as does also one of his brothers; another brother lives in Indian Territory. Our subject lived with his parents until after the death of his father, in 1859, and then entered the Confederate service for three years. He received seven wounds at Oak Ridge, on account of his horse being shot under him and falling on his leg. He offered to surrender, but the captain ordered them to kill him. They captured him, however, and he, with nine others, was in prison and sentenced to be shot. He cut through the wall with a concealed knife, and for four days traveled without anything to eat except hazel nuts. He is said to be the only man in the county who never took the oath of allegiance. He crossed the plains three times, and worked in the mines in Montana until 1866. In 1867 he married Lucy, a daughter of Nancy (Travirs) Baker. Their children are Pearly, John and May. Then for several years he engaged in the dry goods business, and also farmed from 1868 to 1882. Since then he has been a merchant at Williamstown, and carries a stock of over $3,000. He has also one of the finest residences in this county. He is a Mason, and politically is a Democrat, while his wife is a member of the Christian Church.