RUSSELL DURBIN

Sacramento County

Biographies

RUSSELL DURBIN

RUSSELL DURBIN.--An energetic, progressive and very successful rancher is Russell Durbin, son of the oldest native son of California. His parents are Madison L. and Margaret Russell (Brownlee) Durbin, whose sketch appears in this volume. Russell Durbin received his early education in the grammar schools of Fresno County, and afterwards attended Stanford University, where he studied engineering and medicine. He then took a position with the Price Pump & Engine Company of San Francisco, continuing with them for seven years. In 1912 he came to Walnut Grove and since that time has been engaged in farming. He purchased 250 acres on Tyler Island, and also leases approximately 1,400 acres with Alexander Brown of Walnut Grove as his partner. An army of men (about 250) are employed for the upkeep of this vast acreage, which is given over to the growing of asparagus. These partners have put their very best efforts into making their property one of the best producing asparagus ranches in the country.

In February, 1908, Russell Durbin was united in marriage to his first wife, Helen A. Brown, born at Walnut Grove, the daughter of Alexander and Catherine S. Brown. She received her education at the Girls’ High School of San Francisco and Mills College of Oakland. Her father, Alexander Brown, came to California in the sixties. He became a leading business man and today is the financier of the Alexander Brown Bank of Walnut Grove. Alexander and Catherine S. Brown were the parents of five children: John S., cashier of his father’s bank; Arthur, of Walnut Gorve; Frank; Helen, deceased; and A. R. Brown. Helen (Brown) Durbin passed away on December 5, 1914. She was the mother of two children, Robert A., and Jean M., both now living with their father.

On June 20, 1917, at Sacramento, Mr. Durbin was married a second time, to Edna E. Castello, born at Elk Grove, Cal., the daughter of James H., and Sarah Castello. James H. Castello was born in Indiana and was among the early settlers of California. He is a blacksmith by trade, and also a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Castello were the parents of seven children: Hattie, widow of Mr. Bandy, of Sacramento; Georgie, deceased; Lee, of Elk Grove; Mrs. Andrew Elliott, of Elk Grove; Clarence; Edna E., Mrs. Durbin; and Walter. Mrs. Durbin was reared and educated at Elk Grove. Mr. Durbin is a Republican. He is a member of the Gamma Eta Kappa high school fraternity and the Nu Sigma Nu college fraternity.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 911. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.