Winfield Taylor Durbin (1847 - 1928) was governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from 1901 to 1905.

Biography

Durbin was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on May 4, 1847, the son of William S. and Eliza A. Sparks.

Military career

Durbin mustered at Camp Morton in 1862 and served in the 139th Indiana Regiment, Company A during the American Civil War. He was at first refused muster because of an injury to left arm and hand but was eventually permitted to join the company. He was present during Siege of Vicksburg and also in the expedition to Arkansas Post. He declined a commission and left the army in 1864.

After the war he moved to New Philadelphia where he taught school. In 1869 he moved to Indianapolis to work in a warehouse.

He came to Anderson, Indiana in 1879, after marrying Bertha McCullough of Anderson, whose family had started the Citizens Bank. Durbin engaged in Anderson banking and manufacturing.

He was a member of the Republican National Committee from Indiana and was appointed to the executive committee in charge of western headquarters. He played a prominent role nationally in the Grand Army of the Republic. Durbin was commissioned colonel of the 161st regiment during the Spanish-American War. His regiment would be deployed to Havana, Cuba.

Political career

He ran for governor in 1901 and won the election defeating John W. Kern by 25,000 votes. He served from January 14, 1901 until January 9, 1905. He ran for governor again in 1912 but defeated Samuel M. Ralston.

This is believed to be a result of his lingering unpopularity after a 1903 incident when he successfully ordered the National Guard to disperse a lynch mob.

He became wealthy during his lifetime and was a millionaire. He died on December 18, 1928, of bronchial pneumonia following an attack of influenza. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.

References

• Anderson: A Pictorial History by Esther Dittlinger, copyright 1990.
• Durbin's Biography

See also

• List of Governors of Indiana

External links

• Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait
• National Governors Association