Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 60.
 
FRANK W DURBIN
 
     Frank W. Durbin has won notable success as a dealer in hops and is known
throughout the Pacific northwest as a breeder of fine cattle. He has materially
promoted Oregon's dairy industry and is a broad-gauged man who has left the
impress of his individuality upon every line of activity which has engaged his
attention. He resides in Salem and represents the third generation of the family
in Marion county. He was born November 28, 1866, in Oregon's capital city and
his parents, Daniel and Sarah A. (Smith) Durbin, were natives of Ohio. The
grandfather, John Durbin, journeyed to Oregon in 1845, driving one hundred head
of cattle across the plains, and located on a donation claim on Mission bottoms
in Marion county. As the years passed he transformed the wild tract into a
fertile farm and during the latter part of his life resided in Salem. He was a
man of strong character and physique and aided in making this region habitable.
His son, Daniel Durbin, followed the occupations of farming and stock raising
and his demise occurred March 20, 1894. John Smith, the maternal grandfather,
started for the Pacific coast in 1847, but died en route, and his family located
in the Waldo Hills district of Oregon. His daughter Sarah had an intimate
knowledge of frontier life in the west and long survived her husband, passing
away in 1912.
 
     In the acquirement of an education Frank W. Durbin attended the public
schools of Salem and was also a student at Willamette University. He was
identified with the live-stock business in eastern Oregon and also read law but
did not qualify for practice, preferring the career of an agriculturist. The
Mitoma ranch, of which he is the owner, consists of one hundred and sixty acres,
devoted to the growing of hops, and he also has hop yards at Buena Vista,
Independence and Howell Prairie. Mr. Durbin is regarded as an authority on
matters pertaining to the breeding of registered Holstein cattle and his herd
ranks with the best in the state. He was the breeder of Lady Iris Homestead de
Kol, which won the junior championship at the Oregon State Fair in 1925 and the
reserve all American yearling championship. He owns Sir Walker Segis Homestead,
which was exhibited at the Oregon state fair of 1924, 1925 and 1926 and was
selected as grand champion each year, and he has other prize cattle. He has
gradually increased his herd, which now comprises over one hundred head. Among
his holdings is the old donation claim which his father entered from the
government in 1850. It is a tract of three hundred and sixty-two acres of
productive land on which he has placed many improvements, thus enhancing its
value. He operates a large dairy on the ranch and his work is conducted along
scientific lines, productive of the best results.
 
     Mr. Durbin was married January 6, 1887, to Miss Clemma M. Sellady, of The
Dalles, Oregon, and they have become the parents of three children. Barbara, the
eldest, is the wife of Curtice Cross, president of the Valley Packing Company,
of Salem, Oregon, and they have three children: Edwin, Frank and Virginia. Maude
Ann married Edward Pearson, who is chief engineer of the Northwestern Electrical
Company of Portland, Oregon, and they are the parents of a daughter, Barbara.
Frank W. Durbin, Jr., responded to the call of his country and was assigned to
duty with the machine gun corps of the Third Division. During his two years of
service in France he was twice wounded and he is now a second lieutenant in the
officers reserve corps. He was graduated from the Oregon Agricultural College
and is associated with his father in business. In San Francisco, California, he
was united in marriage to Miss Seita Pearson and both are prominent in the
social life of Salem.
 
     In politics Frank W. Durbin. Sr., follows an independent collide and in all
matters of citizenship is broad-minded and public-spirited. He was elected
sheriff of Marion county and served from 1908 until 1912, performing his duties
with characteristic thoroughness and efficiency. He is a life member of the
local lodge of Elks, of which he was exalted ruler in 1900-01, and is also
connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Country Club and the Chamber of
Commerce. His life has been governed by high principles, and that he is a man of
exceptional enterprise and ability is demonstrated by what he has accomplished.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.