Last Updated on August 27, 2012 by
PAINE DURKEE, son of Rufus, was born on the 7th day of October, 1817. He followed the vocation of his father, that of tanner, at the East Village until 1852, when he went to California and worked in the mines one year. In March, 1861, he was elected Representative of Croydon, and in September of the same year enlisted into the military service; was chosen First Lieutenant, and stationed at Fort Constitution in Portsmouth Harbor. He was detailed as Quarter Master, and acted in that capacity until May, 1862, when the illness of his family obliged him to leave the service. In 1864 he again entered -the service, enlisting into the First Regt. Heavy Artillery. He was chosen First Lieutenant of the 11th Co., and was stationed in the defenses of Washington; where he was again detailed as Quarter-Master, the duties of which office he performed with fidelity until the close of the war. In April, 1866, he was appointed Inspector of Customs at Portsmouth, N. H., which office he now holds.