W. R. Durfee

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p. 70

W. R. DURFEE, lumberman, Ashland, came to the shores of Lake Superior in 1856, and engaged in trading in furs in Vermillion Bay and Rainy lakes. in the Summer of 1865, when the gold excitement occurred, he was estimating and locating claims on Superior River and near Fond du Lac. In 1872, came to Ashland, and helped to organize the Union Mill Company, of which he is a partner, and in Spring, 1881, was appointed Indian Agent.