Representative Fred Durbin View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable Fred Durbin of Mills County

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Fred Durbin, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Fred Durbin, the son of Joshua and Almira Durbin, was born in the farm home of his parents near Emerson, May 31, 1876, and died at his Malvern home December 14, 1946. His parents came to eastern Iowa only four years before, traveling in a covered wagon which they had continued to use as their residence until a new house could be built. He passed his boyhood on the farm, learning the skills and resourcefulness which such an environment demanded. The Durbin farm home was considered one of the most hospitable in eastern Mills county and in later years Mr. Durbin often recalled the many guests whom they had entertained in the large family home where the board was nearly always set with an extra plate and a special room was kept in readiness for any who might wish to stay the night.

Mr. Durbin continued his schooling at the University of Iowa after he finished his secondary work. He was granted a Bachelor of Law degree from that institution in 1898.

After completing his schooling he returned to Mills county and took a position in the Strahan & Christy Bank in Malvern. He followed that calling for the remainder of his life, continuing as cashier until the Strahan & Christy Bank became the Malvern National Bank, and then as president. Under his direction the bank changed its organizational plan to the Malvern Trust & Savings Bank in the 1920’s and he continued as president of that institution until the spring of 1946 when he sold the majority interests but continued on as director until only a few days before his death.

Mr. Durbin also maintained his interest in farming throughout his life, always taking an active interest in the operation of his land. He was also active in civic and community affairs. In 1917 he was elected as county Representative in the state General Assembly and was re-elected in 1919. For many years he was a member of Silver Urn Masonic lodge, serving a term as master of this organization. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

On November 27, 1901, he was married to Mary Christy and they at once established their home in Malvern. The Durbins had one daughter, Dorothy, now Mrs. Leo Hoefer, of Omaha. He is survived by Mrs. Durbin, Mr. and Mrs. Hoefer and two grandchildren, Freddie and Joan; two sisters, Mrs. R. L. Hale and Mrs. J. W. Baer of Malvern; a brother, James, of Emerson.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-third General Assembly of Iowa: That, in the passing of the Honorable Fred Durbin, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen and the House expresses its appreciation of his character and public service and tenders, by this resolution, its sincere and heartfelt sympthy to his beloved family in their great sorrow and loss.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

HENRY W. WASHBURN,

CARL T. ANDERSON,

CARROLL L. BROWN,

Committee.