EDWARD S. PORTER
Edward S Porter b. 6-30-1860 Parkersville, Marion Co, OR d. 1-16-1937
Silverton, Marion Co, OR
Edward married Margaret Loutitia Hubbard b. 7-15-1865 Marion Co, OR
d. 4-17-1893 Marion Co, OR
The following is a narrative typed by my grandmother Sybil Luella Campbell Porter who married Clarence "Mo" Porter, the nephew of Edward S Porter, Edward being the subject of this narrative. I have transcribed this narrative "as is".
"In the annals of Marion county no name stands higher for industry and
integrity that that of Porter, and no family in the Willimette valley in
held in higher respect and esteem. Among the courageous pioneers of Silverton
and vicinity, who put forththier highest toward the upbuilding of the place
in which they had located, were Edward Porter, the grandfather of E. S.
Porter, Born in 1803, and his son John, the father of the subject of this
sketch. Coming here when the country round about was in the virgin wildness,
they were interested witnesses of the rapid transformation of heavily timbered
land into a rich and productive agricultural region, any by every means
within their power aided its growth and advancement.
Removing from Ohio to Illinois with his family in 1835, Edward Porter
settled in Fulton county, here he engaged in farming for nearly a score
of years. Starting for the far-off west in 1853, he crossed the intervening
country with teams, which were the only means of land transportation, and
with his wife and children came direct to Marion county, and located about
five miles southeast of Silverton, on what is known as the Porter donation
claim. In common with other pioneers, he labored energy to improve his
land, and as the years rolled he found himself possesed of a comfortable
home, wherein he lived until after the death of his wife, Anna (Anderson)
Porter, who was born in 1805. His remaining years he spent at the home
of his youngest son, living to be over seventy years of age.
A native of Vermilion township, Richland county, Ohio, John Porter
was born October 6, 1830, and in that state spent the first five years
of his life. Going then with his parents to Indiana, and thence to Fulton
county, Ill., he was there reared and educated, remaining in that located
until 1853, when, with his parents, he made another journey westward, coming
to Oregon across the plains. They were nearly six months journeying with
the ploddings ox teams, but no serious adventures en route. Being young
and unmarried, he remained at home, assisting in the clearing of land taken
up by his father until about twenty-five years old, when he took himself
a wife, and establishment himself as a householder on the old Porter donation
claim, living there until 1859. Locating then near Fairfield, on the French
Prairie, he remained there until 1864, when he removed to the White donation
claim, residing until the death of his wife, in 1897. Since then he has
made his home with his children.
A man of unusual energy and ability, John Porter has met with almost
unprecedented success in his life occupation.
Since beginning life for himself he has accumulated a large amount
of land, aggregating about 1600 acres, a large part of which is in a good
state of cultivation, and yielding him a handsome annual income. Straight-forward
and honest in all his dealings, he enjoys in a marked degree the confidence
and good will of all who known him. He is liberal and public-spirited,
and takes an active part in political matters. His wife, who maiden name
was Annis White, was born in Indiana, and she came with her parents from
Missouri to Silverton, in 1852, settling about five miles southeast of
Silverton, on the White donation claim. Of ten children born of their union,
one died in infancy, the others being as follows: Allen, of Grant County,
Ore.; Rene, wife of F. M. Remington, of Idaho, E. S., the subject of this
sketch; Anna, wife of R. H. Harrison, of Washington; John M., living nor
far from the old homestead; Josie, wife of L. D. Leonard, of Idaho; Ai,
Living on the home farm; and Lena, wife of B. M. Davis, of Silverton.
Edward S. Porter was born June 3, 1860, near Parkersville, Ore., and
acquired his early education in the district schools and the Silverton
High School. Having obtained a practical knowledge of the many braches
of agriculture under the wide instruction of his father, he chose farming
as his life works, and after her marriage settled on the Charles Miller
donation claim, five miles from Silverton. Thorough and systematic in his
methods, and wise and judicious in the expenditure of his money, he has
made an unquestioned success in his agricultural labors, and is now the
owner of fourteen hundred acres of valuable land, all but one hundred and
sixty acres being in one piece. On this he carries on generally farming
on a large scale, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising, dealing
principally in Short-horn cattle. Mr. Porter is also identified with other
interests, being junior member of the firm of Kinney & Porter, general
merchants at Silverton, where he owns several pieces of town property;
and is also largely interested in the breeding of Belgian horses in the
Willamette valley. Taking a lively interest in all that concerns the public
affairs of town and county, Mr. porter has exerted a decided influence
in advancing the various enterprises inaugurated to develop the resources
and promote their prosperity. He has served in various town office, and
for twenty years has been clerk of the school board. In politics he is
a stanch Democrat, and fraternally in an Odd Fellow, active in the lodge
room, having passed all the chairs in the order.
Mr. Porter was married December 24, 1883, to Miss Lou Hubbard, a native
of Oregon. She died April 16, 1893, leaving four children, namely: Grover
S., Lora, Glenn E., and Lena L.. Mr. Porter married for his second wife,
Mrs. Alice Sherly Loron, of Johnson City, Tenn. At her death, December
14, 1902, she left one child by her first marriage, Ira P., who makes his
home with his foster father."
Allen Porter's Wagon
Allen Porter b. 9-29-1828 Richland, Vermillion Township, OH d. 1908
King Co, WA
Allen married Alma Sophie Manley
The following narrative was typed by my grandmother Sybil Luella Campbell Porter. Was married to Clarence "Mo" Porter, the grand nephew of Allen Porter - subject of this sketch. I have transcribed this narrative "as is".
"Allen Porter, about 18, came west with his father in 1852. In 1855 he started his own farm in White River Valley. Fearing attack, he slept in the barn all summer. It came in October. House and chicken house burned. Porter escaped into the woods pursued by the Indians. He had two narrow escapes, second when surrounded in a swamp. He tried to warn the pioneer families on his way to Seattle. Covered with blood and mud, most of his clothes torn off, Seattle residents thought him insane. Porter suffered what we would call today "shell shock", and neighbors thought him a little bit "queer". He used his wagon for 50 years. His last request was to have his casket taken to the cemetery in this wagon. He entered the northwest by this wagon and he wanted to leave the same way. He did. He died in 1908."
The wagon referred to in this narrative was used by the Porter family, the majority of whom settled in Silverton, Marion Co, OR. Allen moved father north to Washington. This wagon is on display at the White River Historical Museum in Pierce County, WA.
AI PORTER
Ai Porter b. 12-31-1873 Silverton, Marion Co, OR d. 1911 Silverton,
Marion Co, OR
Ai married Josephine Martha Baller b. 1884 Silverton, Marion Co, OR
d. 1982 Silverton, Marion Co, OR
This narrative was typed by my grandmother Sybil Luella Campbell Porter. She was married to Clarence "Mo" Porter, son of Ai Porter - subject of this sketch. I have transcribed this narrative "as is".
"A worthy representative of one of the finest and most influential families
of the Willamette Valley is Ai Porter, the fortunate owner of six hundred
and fifty acres of land six miles southeast of Silverton. This farm, and
especially the house, has two-fold interest for Mr. Porter, for it represents
the place of his birth, December 31, 1873, the scene of his childish pastimes
and small labors, and the surroundings among which developed his rugged
ancestral characteristics. At present he is engaged in general farming
and stock raising under the most favorable circumstances, his barnes, outhouses,
implements and generalimprovements keeping pace with agricultural advancement
an understood by practical and scientific toilers of the soil. Since then
he has made his home with his children, at whose homes he is a welcome
guest at all times. to an exceptional degree Mr. Porter enjoys the confidence
of his fellowtownsmen, and his services in behalf of the upbuilding of
this country have been appreciated.
Ai Porter was educated in the district schools, and has always taken
kindly and even enthusiastically to farming, for which occupation he was
prepared by his wife and sagacious father. October 22, 1901 he was united
in marriage with Miss Josie Baller, a native daughter of Oregon and, like
her husband, educated in the public schools. Her parents were Rosie and
Abraham Baller. to Mr. and Mrs. Porter there was bornjuly 29, 1903, a son,
who they call Clarence. In politics Mr. Porter as a Republican.