Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 389; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
George L. Durell. It is conceded to be one of the most
difficult things known to the business world to establish a local paper
on a paying basis. It requires more patience, perseverance and
tact than almost any other calling. Few there are who properly
understand the trials that beset the thorny path of the country editor,
who is expected to issue a paper that will compare in every way with
the dailies of the large cities. The subject of this sketch can
properly appreciate these remarks, as he has for some years edited and
published a family newspaper, the Vermont Chronicle, that finds its way
into many a household, and is a fair specimen of its kind.
Mr. Durell is the son of a well-known family of this county, of
which he is a native. He was born in Astoria Township, April 17,
1851, being the youngest son of William and Margaret Durell, (For
parental history see sketch of E. P. Durell on another page of this
work.) Our subject was three years old when his parents removed
to Vermont, and here he was reared, and in the public schools obtained
his education. At the age of nineteen he commenced to learn the
art of printing, at which time he established the Vermont
Chronicle. With much enterprise he opened an office, employed a
practical compositor, and stood at the case day after day until he had
acquired a good knowledge of type-setting. He continued to edit
the Chronicle until 1879, when he sold it, as he wished to go to
Colorado for the purpose of mining. The following year he
operated a job-printing office in Denver for a short time.
In the fall of 1880 Editor Durell returned to his native State,
and again became the proprietor and manger of the Chronicle, buying the
office and outfit, and conducting a paying business as job-printer in
addition to his editorial duties. His paper is a neat,
well-regulated sheet, containing much useful information and local
matter of interest to its readers. It is a Republican organ, and
is firm in support of party principles.
Our subject has a pleasant, comfortable home, and to the lady
who presides over his domestic lares and penates he was untied in
marriage September 18, 1872. Six children have come to them, five
of whom are living, namely: Dora, Edna, Terry, Edwin and
Sadie. Mrs. Durell is, like her husband, a native of this county,
and she is a daughter of Edward and Sarah Stapleford.
