The Durbin?Dittenhaver Family

James Durbin was the engineer on the canal through Texas and Napoleon in the 1840's. In 1845 he purchased land and laid it out in town lots. He called it Texas because the State of Texas came into the union in 1845. He built a house in Texas which is now the Hans Thrane home. James Durbin married Sarah Fisk. They had two children, Rodney C. and Eva Comstock Durbin. Rodney was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, but moved to Napoleon. He married Mary Dittenhaver of Napoleon. They had three children, Edward James, Eva Mae, and George Wells Durbin, all of whom were born in Napoleon. Rodney C. Curbin was a railway mail clerk.

The sister, Eva C. Durbin, never married. She graduated from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. Shewas a teacher of ancient history in the Engleswood High School in Chicago. She later obtained her Master's degree in history at the University of Chicago.

Edward J. Durbin studied law in Toledo and was admitted to the bar. He later became a railway mail clerk. He married Pluma Brondus of Napoleon. They had two daughters, Esther Mary and Eleanor Arminda. Esther was born in Napoleon and Eleanore in Toledo. Pluma Durbin passed away in 1925. He married Zella Hoppes Cox of Liberty Center in 1933.

Eva Mae Durbin was named after her Aunt Eva C. Durbin. She was born in Napoleon and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1900. She took a business course in Toledo. She was later employed in the Recorder's office at the Henry County Courthouse in Napoleon. In 1906 she married Louis Pearl Patten and moved to Toledo. They had a daughter, Marian, who was born in Napoleon. Louis P. Patten became an Army officer and retired a Lt. Col. of Infantry in 1934.

George W. Durbin joined the Army as a young man. After service he returned to Napoleon and became a railway mail clerk. He married Agnex Steikman, who lived in the county near Napoleon. They had one son, Louie, named after his uncle, Louis Patten. Louis Durbin was born at Liberty Center and currently lives in Redondo Beach, California.

Mrs. Louis P. Patten purchased the former Cartright house in Texas in October, 1925. They used it as a summer home until they sold it in July, 1953. The house is at least 100 years old and probably older. It has the old-fashioned cellar.

The Pattens' granddaughter, Mary Jane Davenport of Toledo, grew up at Texas, in the summers from 1937 to 1950.

The Durbins remembered when electric lights came in, including the street lights in Napoleon, also the telephone. They said that people talked loud when the phones first came in. The Rodney Durbins had a horse who knew the way home.

In the 90's, the Durbins purchased tickets, 5 for $1.00, for Sunday dinners at the Wellington Hotel.

The George Dittenhaver family moved to Napoleon from Dresden, Ohio, with their 11 children. The children were: Lucius, Jerome, Alfred,

Patten-Cartright House, Texas, Ohio.

George, Edward, Annie, Mary, Elizabeth, Louise, Harriett, and Eva, who died in infancy.

Lucius Dittenhaver was born Feb. 31, 1834, and died at Dresden Sept. 3, 1903. He married Mary Ann Thurmond. They had one child, William Edward.

Jerome married Malinda Parker. Their children were Amiel, Harry, Alonzo, George, Richard, and Robert, all born in Napoleon.

Alfred married Jessie Weaver. Their children were Neil, Elizabeth, and Pattie, and Gerald.

George went west, married and had a family.

Edward lived in Chicago, no issue.

Annie married a Mr. Adams. There were two sons, George and Irwin.

Mary married Rodney C. Durbin. There were three children: Edward, Eva, and George, all born in Napoleon.

Patten-Cartright House after restoration.

Elizabeth married Lorenzo Adams. Their four children were: Lillie, Pearl, Arthur, and Daisy, all born in Napoleon, except Daisy, who was born in Defiance.

Louise never married. She was a school teacher and later an insurance agent in Toledo.

Harriett married Vincent Sweringer. There was one child, Winnie. They lived in Humboldt, Kansas.

The Wabash Railroad ran Theatre Trains from Napoleon to Toledo in the evenings in the 90's and early 1900's. People went to the Valentine Theatre in Toledo. They would go early enough for the show and come back the same night.

The only amusement on a Sunday afternoon in the 90's in Napoleon was to walk across the River Bridge, play croquet, or walk to the graveyard, as it was called in that day.

There were no mortuaries 50 and 60 years ago. Funerals were held in the homes. The mortician had a furniture store for extra employment (Napoleon).

The Rink was a popular place for plays in Napoleon in the 90's.

There were several Durbin families living in Texas and McClure before the turn of the century.

Submitted by Marian Patten Davenport