Submitted by
Barbara (Caddell) Fox
Mart Daily Herald
Monday June 11, 1923
Veteran M. T. Durham Answers Last Summons
Death Claims Another Hero of the Sixties. Survived by 92 Children and Grandchildren.
Following an illness of several weeks duration, Confederate Veteran M. T. Durham, age 80, died at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 1923, at the family residence South Pearl Street, Mart, Texas.
This hero of many battles made a game fight against his last enemy, but the infirmities of age were against him, and like a clock run down, life went out. Like a tired child, he went to sleep, secure to Christian’s faith and surrounded by his loved ones who had ministered every need.
Funeral services were held at two o’clock Monday afternoon, at the Mart Baptist church, of which deceased was an honored and faithful member, conducted by Rev. W. H. Sims. The pastor was assisted in the service by Rev. Isaac Willingham, of Marlin, an old friend of the family, whose father was a comrade in arms of deceased, during the war of the Sixties.
Following the impressive funeral services, interment was made in Criswell cemetery, the old family burying ground, below Odds, in Limestone county. Six of the noble grandsons served as active pall bearers: Jack Durham, Ellsbury Criswell, Marcus Criswell, Herman Matthews, Homer McDaniel and Mark Berry.
Honorary Pall Bearers
The following were named honorary pall bearers by the family: W. C. Easter, J. I. Campbell, S. H. Chandler, R. J. Taylor, C. W. Vaught, R. H. Townsend, J. M. Childs, J. M. Linebarger, W. M. Graves, I. H. Couey, N. B. Douglass, W. G. Holley, J. T. Suttle, J. F. Butler, T. D. Nettles, Fred Moore, Joe Allen, A. L. Crawford, J. W. Mann, R. C. Burleson, W. L. McKinney, Otis Green and J. L. Spencer of Mart. S. C. Foster of Groesbeck. T. I. Camp of Thornton. A. J. Eaves and J. H. Coleman of Marlin. J. H. Shipp, R. R. Erskine, J. A. McKinley, R. S. Springfield and R. A. McAlister of Odds. Mr. Bradshaw of Otto and W. B. Baker of Kirk.
M. T. Durham was born in Georgia, Feb. 4, 1843. When a small boy his parents moved to Calhoun county, Ala., where he grew up. When sixteen years of age was converted, joined the Baptist church and has ever since held to “the Faith once delivered to the Saints.” An autobiography of his war record says:
“In 1862 I volunteered in the Confederate army and was mustered into service in March 1862, in Co. B., 30th Ala. Regiment, which went from Jacksonville, Ala., mobilized at Yalediga, Ala., was then ordered to Tennessee near Cumberland Gap. Was with Brag in his raid at Frankfort, Ky.; in battle of Chattanooga, Tenn. on Lookout Mountain; was wounded in Battle at Missionary Ridge. The next battle was at Port Gibson, Miss. and then Champion Hill. Next Big Black River; next siege of Vicksburgs, Miss. We were them transferred back to Tennessee. In all the battles fought by General Joe Johnston. In the battles of New Hope Church and Itasca River, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and at Mariette, Ga. and from there under the command of Hood to Atlanta, Ga. Was seriously wounded at Jones-Borough, and there fell into the hands of the enemy. Was a prisoner seven days after the battle when the Federals fell back to Atlanta. Was badly wounded and taken to Macon, Ga., to the hospital where stayed thirty days. Was given a sixty day furlough and at the expiration of the furlough, met our command at Cornith, Miss. The army was transferred to the North and South Carolinas in the battles of Averysborough and battle of Bentonville. Surrendered at Raleigh, N. C.”
Mr. Durham was married to Miss Arminda Jane Hopkins in 1863, who died in 1911. To them was born twelve children, two of whom died in infancy.
Citizen of Three Counties
He moved to Texas in 1869 and settled at first between Mart and Riesel, with “a wife, two children and a Mexican dollar,” as he often expressed it. Houston was railway terminal for this section at that time. He later moved to Falls county, then to the western side of Limestone county, accumulating considerable amount of land, where he lived for about 20 years.
Since marrying Mrs. Susie B. Fox on Dec. 11, 1912, he has lived in Mart.
Enjoying the companionship of his faithful wife, the visits of his splendid children, the fellowship of his church and the friendship of a large circle of neighbors and comrades. He led the simple, peaceful life during the long term of years following the war, having a good name and an honorable career as an important part of the heritage to his children.
Was Head of Large Family
Small of stature, but of indomitable will and the soul of honor, M. T. Durham blessed the world with a large family of noble sons and daughters.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a sister, Mrs. N. J. Freeman, of Dallas, Texas; five sons--Lafayatte Durham of Arlington, Texas; W. J. Durham of Mart; Jno. P. Durham, Mart route 6; A. G. Durham of Dallas, and five daughters, Mrs. Ida Berry and Mrs. Katie Criswell of Marlin; Mrs. Clara McDaniel of Mart, route 2; Mrs. S. J. Boyd of Dallas and Mrs. W. A. Matthews, Renner, Texas.
In addition to these the following step children morn his loss:
L. G. Fox, Lawton, Okla.; J. A. Fox, Dallas, and H. L. Fox, Fort Worth.
Two children died in their infancy, and during the life of deceased, there were 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grand children to die. There are now living 55 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren making his total progeny 116.
This record is unusual, and all the living ones are honored as worthy citizens of the various communities in which they live.
The bereaved family has the sympathy of their many friends in the loss of this loved one--a good man who has gone to his reward.
