Edgar Layton Durling

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

Upon investigating the genealogy of the DURLING family in America, it becomes apparent that all existing branches spelling their names variously Doeland, Dorlan, Dorlon, Durland, Derland and DURLING, in different localities, are traceable to one and the same source, namely, Gerrett Dorlandt, of Holland, whose two sons, Jan Gerrettse Dorlandt and Lambert Janse Dorlandt, emigrated to this country and settled on Long Island in the years 1652 and 1663 respectively. The first of these sons,

Jan Garrettse, also had two sons:

Elias, who settled at Hempstead, Long Island, and
Gerrett, who located in Brooklyn.

The second son,

Lambert Janse, became the father of two sons,

Gerrett Janse, who settled in New Jersey, and
John, who first located on Staten Island and then in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania;

and it appears from the records that the subject of this mention is a direct descendant of the New Jersey settler, Gerrett Janse.

Amzi A. DURLING, father of Edgar L., was born in Warren county, New Jersey, and subsequently moved to Sussex county, where he followed the occupation of a miller for many years. He married Miss Theresa ROSENCRANSE, a native of Sussex county, and of the five children born to them, the following four survive:

Rodman P.,
Anson R.,
Edgar L. and
Mary.

Amzi A. Darling died at Morristown in 1896, having attained the advanced age of seventy-four years. His wife is now living (1897) and makes her home in Morristown.

Edgar L. Darling was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, on the 22d of May, 1859, and there obtained his educational discipline in the district schools, after leaving which he began his business career as a grain dealer at Baker's Mills, Morris county, when twenty years of age. The ensuing year he came to Morristown and here continued in the same line of enterprise, in which he has met with more than ordinary success, and now owns and operates one of the only two grain elevators in Morristown. When he entered upon his business career Mr. DURLING had a capital of less than a hundred dollars, but his credit was good, his integrity undoubted and his industry indefatigable, and step by step he advanced in the mercantile world and distinct success followed his efforts, while at the same time he became a well known and popular resident of his home city. He is a member of the board of directors of the Morristown branch of the New Jersey Central Building Association.

For fifteen years Mr. DURLING has been actively identified with the work of the Republican party in Morris county, and in 1888 he was elected a member of the Morris township committee. In 1896 he became the Republican candidate for sheriff of Morris county and was elected to that office by the decisive majority of two thousand two hundred votes which was a most fitting compliment to his popularity, as the county is usually Republican by only a few hundred ballots. During the time he has held office Mr. DURLING has fulfilled his duties in a manner that fully merits the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens, who are loud in their praise of his executive ability as displayed in conducting his office, and the services rendered by him in the capacity of sheriff. He has made a signally excellent record as sheriff, and through his effective official efforts has become widely known throughout the state, his reputation having been particularly advanced by the strong fight he made in the courts in connection with the celebrated case of Anna Morrison vs. Thomas Bright, which attracted the attention of the legal eyes throughout the Union. The marriage of Mr. DURLING was solemnized in 1894, when he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Louise EISENSMITH, of Morristown, the issue of this union being one child,

Norman Layton, who was born in 1896.

He has for fourteen years been a member of the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company, of the Morristown fire department, and has held all the offices in the company.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.