MARK THOMAS DURHAM

 

     Mark Thomas Durham, b February 4, 1843 in Georgia, d June 10, 1923 in Mart, McLennan County, Texas and buried in Criswell Cemetery in Falls County, Texas - was a son of Thomas and Mary A. Durham.

     Mark Thomas moved with his parents to Calhoun County, Alabama, where he grew to manhood. At the age of 17, he was converted and joined the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1862, Mark Thomas Durham enlisted in the Confederate States Army and was mustered into service during the Civil War in March 1863 in Company B, 30th Alabama Regiment. He was in the Battle of Look Out Mountain, in Chatanooga, and was wounded on Missionary Ridge. After fighting in every battle led by General Joseph Johnson in Mississippi, he was seriously wounded in Atlanta, Georgia under General Hood, and was held prisoner for seven days. After a 60 day furlough, he rejoined his command until they surrendered at Raleigh, North Carolina.

     Mark Thomas Durham had married on August 4, 1863 to Arminda Hopkins, b July 31, 1843 in Georgia, d February 14, 1912. The couple came to Texas after the Civil War, settling between Marlin and Riesel, Texas in 1867. After two years, Mark bought a in the community later called Criswell - donating land for the school, church, and cemetery. His father and mother, who had lived in Mart, Texas with another son, were the first buried in the Criswell Cemetery.

     After Arminda's death, Mark married Mrs. Susie Fox of Mart, Texas on December 11, 1912, and he continued to reside in Mart until his own death at the age of 80 years.

     Some of the children of Mark Thomas and Arminda J. (Hopkins) Durham were:

     Thomas Durham, b 1866 in Mississippi.

     William J. Durham, b July 3,1868 in Texas, d December 5, 1934 - married Mary (maiden name not known), b March 2, 1872, d December 14, 1897.

     Ida Durham, b September 1869.

     Mary Catherine Durham, b February 9, 1872 who married Thomas Leroy Criswell and had children.

     Sarah Durham, b October 24, 1874, d December 17,1875.

     Amy Durham, b ca 1876 - married a Mr. Boyd of Mart, McLennan County, Texas.

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 125 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.