Charles was the son of Rev. Charles Duren (1815-1886) and Serena McKeen Duren (1819-1862). At the age of 16, he worked in a general store in Sheldon, Vermont. In 1864, he entered the drug business with the firm Wead and Duren. Two years later, he was traveling for a New York paper warehouse. In 1867, he began his banking employment as as bookkeeper for Merchants National Bank in Dubuque, Iowa. He married Gertrude Eliza Whiting on June 1, 1868 and that year was elected City Treasurer of Eldora, Iowa. He became first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank that same year. In 1893 he was elected President of the Bank. Two sons and three daughters were born to Charles and Gertrude. Twin sons Charles Whiting and James McKeen (1868-1870), who died when 1-1/2 years old, Alice Serena Duren (1871-1875) who died at age 4, Mabel Duren (1873-1907) who married Joseph T. Harnett, and Fanny Duren (1875- ) who was a librarian in Waterloo, IA.
From the 1911 book Past and Present of Hardin County Iowa, pp. 394-396:
Charles McKeen Duren
"There is both lesson and incentive in contemplating a career like that of Charles McKeen Duren, well known bank of Eldora, Hardin county, whose enterprise, force of character, sterling integrity, fortitude amid discouraging situations, and his marked success in bringing to completion large business plans, have contributed in no small measure toward the development of this section of the Hawkeye state. He has always been a strong man, both physically and mentally, of great business capacity, a thorough organizer, good in the generalities of business, strong in his friendships, and never willing to give one up whom he trusted until that one had fully proven his unworthiness of that trust. Strong in his convictions of right and in his hatred of the tricks of business, of which some men even boast, his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact today among friends, acquaintances and business associates.
Mr. Duren hails from the old Pine Tree state, his birth having occurred at Sangerville, Maine, November 26, 1842, and he is the son of Rev. Charles and Serena (McKeen) Duren, the father a prominent minister in the Congregational church. When the subject was six months old the family moved to Vermont. He spent his boyhood at home and received a good education in the New England schools, and he began life for himself in 1858 in a general store at Sheldon, Vermont, and in 1864 he went to St. Albans, Vermont, and entered the drug business as a member of the firm of Wead & Duren. Leaving Vermont in 1866, he traveled about a year for a New York paper warehouse and in May, 1867, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured employment as bookkeeper for the Merchants National Bank. In November, 1868, he left there and came to Eldora, Iowa. Here he became the first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In 1893 he was elected president of this institution, which position he has held ever since, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and which has resulted in greatly increasing the prestige of this sound, safe and popular institution. As told in the chapter on banks and banking, appearing in this work, the law of 1904 required the banks to use the word of "state" in the name of any institution organized under the state banking laws, and this change was made in the name of the Hardin County Bank. When it was converted into a national bank in 1908 and the Hardin County Savings Bank was organized to handle business not pertaining to national banks, Mr. Duren also became president of that bank. In 1906 the Providence State Bank was organized at New Providence and Mr. Duren became president of that institution, and he still holds the presidency of all three banks, the large success of each being due principally to his wise counsel and judicious management.
Mr. Duren was married on June 1, 1868, to Gertrude E. Whiting, of Dubuque, and a native of South Brookfield, Massachusetts, a lady of culture and refinement, and the representative of a fine old New England family, being the daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, a well known and influential minister in the Congregational church, who was preaching at Dubuque, Iowa, at the time of Mr. Duren's marriage. It is worthy of notice that the father of Mr. Duren, the father of his wife and the father of his mother were all ministers in the Congregational church.
Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duren. The first two, sons, being twins, died when a year and a half old, then a daughter died at the age of four years. The other children are Mabel and Fnny; the former married J. T. Harnett and lived in Eldora until her death, in October, 1907; Fanny is librarian at the public library in Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Duren are members of the Congregational church, of which he has been clerk since 1869 and a deacon for a number of years and is a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has manifested an abiding interest in public affairs. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of the city of Eldora, which office he held until 1881, when he was re-elected and he has discharged the duties of the same most worthily every since, having been treasurer the greater portion of the time since Eldora became a city.
Personally, Mr. Duren is a pleasant gentleman to know, kind, generous, honest in all relations of life, easily approached and unassuming, consequently he is eminently deserving of the large success he has attained by his own efforts, of the confidence reposed in him by all and of the high esteem in which he is held."
From the 1911 book Past and Present of Hardin County Iowa, pp. 394-396:
Charles McKeen Duren
"There is both lesson and incentive in contemplating a career like that of Charles McKeen Duren, well known bank of Eldora, Hardin county, whose enterprise, force of character, sterling integrity, fortitude amid discouraging situations, and his marked success in bringing to completion large business plans, have contributed in no small measure toward the development of this section of the Hawkeye state. He has always been a strong man, both physically and mentally, of great business capacity, a thorough organizer, good in the generalities of business, strong in his friendships, and never willing to give one up whom he trusted until that one had fully proven his unworthiness of that trust. Strong in his convictions of right and in his hatred of the tricks of business, of which some men even boast, his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact today among friends, acquaintances and business associates.
Mr. Duren hails from the old Pine Tree state, his birth having occurred at Sangerville, Maine, November 26, 1842, and he is the son of Rev. Charles and Serena (McKeen) Duren, the father a prominent minister in the Congregational church. When the subject was six months old the family moved to Vermont. He spent his boyhood at home and received a good education in the New England schools, and he began life for himself in 1858 in a general store at Sheldon, Vermont, and in 1864 he went to St. Albans, Vermont, and entered the drug business as a member of the firm of Wead & Duren. Leaving Vermont in 1866, he traveled about a year for a New York paper warehouse and in May, 1867, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured employment as bookkeeper for the Merchants National Bank. In November, 1868, he left there and came to Eldora, Iowa. Here he became the first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In 1893 he was elected president of this institution, which position he has held ever since, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and which has resulted in greatly increasing the prestige of this sound, safe and popular institution. As told in the chapter on banks and banking, appearing in this work, the law of 1904 required the banks to use the word of "state" in the name of any institution organized under the state banking laws, and this change was made in the name of the Hardin County Bank. When it was converted into a national bank in 1908 and the Hardin County Savings Bank was organized to handle business not pertaining to national banks, Mr. Duren also became president of that bank. In 1906 the Providence State Bank was organized at New Providence and Mr. Duren became president of that institution, and he still holds the presidency of all three banks, the large success of each being due principally to his wise counsel and judicious management.
Mr. Duren was married on June 1, 1868, to Gertrude E. Whiting, of Dubuque, and a native of South Brookfield, Massachusetts, a lady of culture and refinement, and the representative of a fine old New England family, being the daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, a well known and influential minister in the Congregational church, who was preaching at Dubuque, Iowa, at the time of Mr. Duren's marriage. It is worthy of notice that the father of Mr. Duren, the father of his wife and the father of his mother were all ministers in the Congregational church.
Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duren. The first two, sons, being twins, died when a year and a half old, then a daughter died at the age of four years. The other children are Mabel and Fnny; the former married J. T. Harnett and lived in Eldora until her death, in October, 1907; Fanny is librarian at the public library in Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Duren are members of the Congregational church, of which he has been clerk since 1869 and a deacon for a number of years and is a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has manifested an abiding interest in public affairs. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of the city of Eldora, which office he held until 1881, when he was re-elected and he has discharged the duties of the same most worthily every since, having been treasurer the greater portion of the time since Eldora became a city.
Personally, Mr. Duren is a pleasant gentleman to know, kind, generous, honest in all relations of life, easily approached and unassuming, consequently he is eminently deserving of the large success he has attained by his own efforts, of the confidence reposed in him by all and of the high esteem in which he is held."
Charles was the son of Rev. Charles Duren (1815-1886) and Serena McKeen Duren (1819-1862). At the age of 16, he worked in a general store in Sheldon, Vermont. In 1864, he entered the drug business with the firm Wead and Duren. Two years later, he was traveling for a New York paper warehouse. In 1867, he began his banking employment as as bookkeeper for Merchants National Bank in Dubuque, Iowa. He married Gertrude Eliza Whiting on June 1, 1868 and that year was elected City Treasurer of Eldora, Iowa. He became first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank that same year. In 1893 he was elected President of the Bank. Two sons and three daughters were born to Charles and Gertrude. Twin sons Charles Whiting and James McKeen (1868-1870), who died when 1-1/2 years old, Alice Serena Duren (1871-1875) who died at age 4, Mabel Duren (1873-1907) who married Joseph T. Harnett, and Fanny Duren (1875- ) who was a librarian in Waterloo, IA.
From the 1911 book Past and Present of Hardin County Iowa, pp. 394-396:
Charles McKeen Duren
"There is both lesson and incentive in contemplating a career like that of Charles McKeen Duren, well known bank of Eldora, Hardin county, whose enterprise, force of character, sterling integrity, fortitude amid discouraging situations, and his marked success in bringing to completion large business plans, have contributed in no small measure toward the development of this section of the Hawkeye state. He has always been a strong man, both physically and mentally, of great business capacity, a thorough organizer, good in the generalities of business, strong in his friendships, and never willing to give one up whom he trusted until that one had fully proven his unworthiness of that trust. Strong in his convictions of right and in his hatred of the tricks of business, of which some men even boast, his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact today among friends, acquaintances and business associates.
Mr. Duren hails from the old Pine Tree state, his birth having occurred at Sangerville, Maine, November 26, 1842, and he is the son of Rev. Charles and Serena (McKeen) Duren, the father a prominent minister in the Congregational church. When the subject was six months old the family moved to Vermont. He spent his boyhood at home and received a good education in the New England schools, and he began life for himself in 1858 in a general store at Sheldon, Vermont, and in 1864 he went to St. Albans, Vermont, and entered the drug business as a member of the firm of Wead & Duren. Leaving Vermont in 1866, he traveled about a year for a New York paper warehouse and in May, 1867, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured employment as bookkeeper for the Merchants National Bank. In November, 1868, he left there and came to Eldora, Iowa. Here he became the first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In 1893 he was elected president of this institution, which position he has held ever since, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and which has resulted in greatly increasing the prestige of this sound, safe and popular institution. As told in the chapter on banks and banking, appearing in this work, the law of 1904 required the banks to use the word of "state" in the name of any institution organized under the state banking laws, and this change was made in the name of the Hardin County Bank. When it was converted into a national bank in 1908 and the Hardin County Savings Bank was organized to handle business not pertaining to national banks, Mr. Duren also became president of that bank. In 1906 the Providence State Bank was organized at New Providence and Mr. Duren became president of that institution, and he still holds the presidency of all three banks, the large success of each being due principally to his wise counsel and judicious management.
Mr. Duren was married on June 1, 1868, to Gertrude E. Whiting, of Dubuque, and a native of South Brookfield, Massachusetts, a lady of culture and refinement, and the representative of a fine old New England family, being the daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, a well known and influential minister in the Congregational church, who was preaching at Dubuque, Iowa, at the time of Mr. Duren's marriage. It is worthy of notice that the father of Mr. Duren, the father of his wife and the father of his mother were all ministers in the Congregational church.
Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duren. The first two, sons, being twins, died when a year and a half old, then a daughter died at the age of four years. The other children are Mabel and Fnny; the former married J. T. Harnett and lived in Eldora until her death, in October, 1907; Fanny is librarian at the public library in Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Duren are members of the Congregational church, of which he has been clerk since 1869 and a deacon for a number of years and is a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has manifested an abiding interest in public affairs. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of the city of Eldora, which office he held until 1881, when he was re-elected and he has discharged the duties of the same most worthily every since, having been treasurer the greater portion of the time since Eldora became a city.
Personally, Mr. Duren is a pleasant gentleman to know, kind, generous, honest in all relations of life, easily approached and unassuming, consequently he is eminently deserving of the large success he has attained by his own efforts, of the confidence reposed in him by all and of the high esteem in which he is held."
From the 1911 book Past and Present of Hardin County Iowa, pp. 394-396:
Charles McKeen Duren
"There is both lesson and incentive in contemplating a career like that of Charles McKeen Duren, well known bank of Eldora, Hardin county, whose enterprise, force of character, sterling integrity, fortitude amid discouraging situations, and his marked success in bringing to completion large business plans, have contributed in no small measure toward the development of this section of the Hawkeye state. He has always been a strong man, both physically and mentally, of great business capacity, a thorough organizer, good in the generalities of business, strong in his friendships, and never willing to give one up whom he trusted until that one had fully proven his unworthiness of that trust. Strong in his convictions of right and in his hatred of the tricks of business, of which some men even boast, his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact today among friends, acquaintances and business associates.
Mr. Duren hails from the old Pine Tree state, his birth having occurred at Sangerville, Maine, November 26, 1842, and he is the son of Rev. Charles and Serena (McKeen) Duren, the father a prominent minister in the Congregational church. When the subject was six months old the family moved to Vermont. He spent his boyhood at home and received a good education in the New England schools, and he began life for himself in 1858 in a general store at Sheldon, Vermont, and in 1864 he went to St. Albans, Vermont, and entered the drug business as a member of the firm of Wead & Duren. Leaving Vermont in 1866, he traveled about a year for a New York paper warehouse and in May, 1867, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured employment as bookkeeper for the Merchants National Bank. In November, 1868, he left there and came to Eldora, Iowa. Here he became the first cashier and manager of the Hardin County Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In 1893 he was elected president of this institution, which position he has held ever since, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and which has resulted in greatly increasing the prestige of this sound, safe and popular institution. As told in the chapter on banks and banking, appearing in this work, the law of 1904 required the banks to use the word of "state" in the name of any institution organized under the state banking laws, and this change was made in the name of the Hardin County Bank. When it was converted into a national bank in 1908 and the Hardin County Savings Bank was organized to handle business not pertaining to national banks, Mr. Duren also became president of that bank. In 1906 the Providence State Bank was organized at New Providence and Mr. Duren became president of that institution, and he still holds the presidency of all three banks, the large success of each being due principally to his wise counsel and judicious management.
Mr. Duren was married on June 1, 1868, to Gertrude E. Whiting, of Dubuque, and a native of South Brookfield, Massachusetts, a lady of culture and refinement, and the representative of a fine old New England family, being the daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, a well known and influential minister in the Congregational church, who was preaching at Dubuque, Iowa, at the time of Mr. Duren's marriage. It is worthy of notice that the father of Mr. Duren, the father of his wife and the father of his mother were all ministers in the Congregational church.
Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Duren. The first two, sons, being twins, died when a year and a half old, then a daughter died at the age of four years. The other children are Mabel and Fnny; the former married J. T. Harnett and lived in Eldora until her death, in October, 1907; Fanny is librarian at the public library in Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Duren are members of the Congregational church, of which he has been clerk since 1869 and a deacon for a number of years and is a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has manifested an abiding interest in public affairs. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of the city of Eldora, which office he held until 1881, when he was re-elected and he has discharged the duties of the same most worthily every since, having been treasurer the greater portion of the time since Eldora became a city.
Personally, Mr. Duren is a pleasant gentleman to know, kind, generous, honest in all relations of life, easily approached and unassuming, consequently he is eminently deserving of the large success he has attained by his own efforts, of the confidence reposed in him by all and of the high esteem in which he is held."
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