BIO: George DURST, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ 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.