P. S. Durham,
of the firm of Durham & Mounts, proprietors of livery and feed stable, is the son of Joseph Durham, who emigrated
from Kentucky to Indiana, where he was married to Margaret Ricker, a native of Tennessee. P. S. Durham is the oldest
of a family of six children, and was born in Indiana, October 16, 1837.
When but eleven years of age, he left his
father's home, his mother having died a short time previous, and went to Mercer County, Illinois, where he found
himself to be among strangers. He worked on a farm in Mercer County, and attended the common schools of that
vicinity, and in the fall of 1870, came to Holt County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming till 1877,
when he moved to Mound City. Since that time he has been engaged in his present business. He was also for some
time in the hotel business. Mr. D. is Junior Deacon of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A. M.
He has been three
times married: First, June 25, 1857, to Miss Catharine Philips, of Indiana. She was born in the year 1834, and died
in 1872. They had eight children, six of whom are living: Albion, Adda, Flora, Burt, Carrie and Alice. He took for
his second wife Mrs. Fannie Elliott, of Indiana, her maiden name being Fannie Flemming. She died in the year 1875.
They had one child, Jennie. Mr. Durham's third marriage occurred February 6, 1876, to Mrs. Lucy Chambers. Her maiden name was Canada, and she was born in Illinois, December 23, 1832. They have one child,
Florence.
Source:"History of Holt and Atchison Counties, 1882"
Transcribed by Karyn
