Genealogy

A newspaper obituary for James Anderson Durham. The original source is unknown. I have a copy of the newspaper article, but there is no reference for it.

James Anderson Durham Obituary

Dr. James A. Durham died at his residence in Benton, Illinois, from a stroke of paralysis at 4 o'clock p.m., January 11, 1896. He had been seriously afflicted with asthma and rheumatism for many years, and his sudden demise was no surprise to his intimate friends. He had been very feeble for several days preceding his sudden attack, and on Friday morning January 10, about 6 o'clock a.m. while in his barn yard near his residence he was suddenly stricken with paralyses and when discovered by his family was helpless and unconscious and lingered in that condition until death relieved him.

Dr. Durham was born in Saline County, Illinois, March 22, 1831. He was the son of Asel Durham, who came from Tennessee, and settled in Saline County, at an early date in the history of Illinois. His father was a farmer and Dr. Durham's boyhood days were spent on the farm with his parents, where he acquired hi habits of industry, honesty and charity which continued to grow and bear greater fruits for good as he grew older. It seemed to be a motto of his to do better today than he had done yesterday, and his many acts of kindness and charity fully demonstrated the [unreadable] truth of this motto.

He was married in Franklin County, June 16, 1853, to Miss Frances C. Scarborough, daughter of Dr. Bennett Scarborough. Twelve children were born as the fruits of this marriage, five of whom are dead and seven of whom, viz: James, Joseph, U.S. Grant, Colfax, Wm., Frank and John are still living.

He was a physician of the Eclectic school in high standing, and during his long and useful life enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice.

Dr. Durham's entire life after his marriage (except three years of his army service), was spent among the people of Franklin County. There are few if any families in the county to-day where the name of Dr. Durham was not known and loved and who will receive the sad news of his death with sighs and grief, because he loved his brother men and labored and prayed for his elevation, and his labors and prayers were appreciated.

He served three years as a soldier in Co. C.15, Ill. Cav., in the war of 1861-5, and his recitals of army life and reminiscences was a theme both interesting to him and instructive to those to whom they were told.

He was a charter member of Charity Lodge No. 284, I.O.O.F. at Benton, Ill., and took great pride and interest in the work of that order.

He was elected a member of the County Commissioners Court of Franklin County in 1880, and served 4 years and it was during his term of office and largely due to his acts and influence that the inititory steps were taken by the county which finally resulted in relieving the people of the county from the payment of $112 000, of railroad bonds which had been illegally issued by a former board.

He was a member of the examining board of pension surgeons at Benton for many years, being the first appointed under President Cleveland, although a republican in politics.

He was a member of Benton Post No. 241, G.A.R. and took a deep interest in the work of that order.

In the year of 1857, he professed religion during a protracted meeting then being conducted by the Rev. Geo. Lopas at the M.E. Church at Shiloh in this county, and united with that church shortly afterwards. His membership was transferred to the M.E. Church and Benton where he was licensed as a local preacher of that church, and after that time much of his time was spent in preaching the gospel. He was a forcible and eloquent speaker and acquired quite and enviable reputation as a revivalist and was instrumental in converting and bringing into the church many converts. There are few, if any churches or religious societies in this county where his voice has not been heard, and where his words of council will long be remembered, because he counseled charity and love to his brother man, and obedience to God.

In 1886 he became dissatisfied with some of the creeds of the M.E. Church and withdrew from that church and joined the Second Missionary Baptist Church at Benton, and was ordained by that church as a minister and acted as its pastor for some time, and was instrumental in bringing the congregation to that high standing which it now holds in its association.

On April 28, 1889 he joined the 1st., Missionary Baptist church of Benton by letter from the 2nd., Missionary Baptist church of Benton, during all of which time he did much work for the advancement of the church.

About the beginning of the year of 1892 Dr. Durham in his preaching took issue with other preachers of the Missionary Baptist church on the question of Sanctification, and as a result thereof on March 15 1892 a church presbytery consisting of a number of preachers of the Missionary Baptist church was convened at Benton, and as a result thereof Dr. Durham was dismissed from the Missionary Baptist church. But Dr. Durham immediately joined the Free Will Baptist church and continued in the ministry thereof until his death, doing much good work for the good master.

Dr. Durham was a true and practicable type of a good man, a promoter and doer of God's works, he spent a large portion of his labors and life to promote and advance the good and happiness of his brother man.

He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, his home and family circle was always rated for its comforts and special greetings, and he strove to make it a type of the heavenly home, where he so long prayed and labored to be taken. He leaves behind him a highly respected and cultured family, who have the sympathy and respect of the entire community.

Dr. Durham filled a place in life that few could have done, he was indeed and in truth a man of the people. He put on a common level with his brother man, and labored to elevate him, but examples of charity and good deeds, and will long live in the memory of those who knew and the many kind acts, kind words, exhortations and sweet songs that he sang will bear their good fruits not only in the present but in the dim and distant future.

His funeral services were held at his residence on West Main street at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, under the auspices of Charity Lodge No. 284 I.O.O.F.

The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. Moore of the Free Will Baptist Church, and was buried in the New Cemetery one-half mile South of Benton in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends.


Our father so dear, has left us here, to battle with life alone; but we know up there he is waiting for us in that bright and beautiful home. And father dear, we will meet you there when the summons bids us come, for this earth to us is not so dear since from us thou hast gone.