My Genealogy Hound

REV. EDWIN K. PORTER came with his parents to Missouri in 1834, and settled on a farm near Fredericktown in 1835. He married Miss Susan Olivia Collier, a Kentucky lady. To them were born five daughters, of whom only two are living, namely: Mrs. J. M. Wherley, near Sedalia; and Mrs. W. J. Pollard, of Carthage, Mo. Two of the sisters married Lucius Lampkin, of Richhill, Mo. The other daughter died in infancy. The wife of his youth died in August, 1846.

In October, 1847, Rev. Mr. Porter married his now bereaved widow, Miss Nancy A. Bennett, who was born in Cape Girardeau County, March 29, 1829, and was reared in Madison County. In 1852 they moved to Pettis County, and settled on the farm of two hundred and sixty-seven acres where the widow and son now reside. At that time the country was unimproved, railroads had not yet linked the towns with the outside world, and they were among the first settlers. To this marriage were born eleven children, of whom Willie and Rosa died in infancy. The eldest daughter of the second marriage, Amanda, married J. M. Pollard, of Webb City, Mo. Janie E., Mrs. Robert E. Ferguson, is deceased. Ella married C. E. Ferguson, of Bates County; Hannah is Mrs. A. M. Mitchum, of Sedalia, Mo.; Ida E., Mrs. Charles D. Brown, lives in Sedalia; Ruthie G., Mrs. J. A. Biddle, resides in Jonesboro, Ark.; Eugenia married Louis Lower, who resides near Longwood, Pettis County; Bennie, the youngest daughter, is now Mrs. W. W. Biddle, and lives in Cole Camp, Mo. The only son, Marvin S. Porter, lives with his mother on the old home place.

“Uncle Ed,” as everyone addressed the subject of this sketch, possessed a very kind and sunny disposition. The old home was always a rendezvous for his grandchildren, of whom he had many, and who were always greeted by him with the greatest affection. He seemed to live for the enjoyment of his family, though he had a kind word for everyone he chanced to meet. The sunshine of religion was in his soul. He kept himself ready for the summons of his Master “to come up higher.”

The following tribute may appropriately be added to this brief review of his noble life:

“Rev. E. K. Porter, a local Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, died November 8, 1893. He was born in Bedford County, Va., January 24, 1814; professed religion in 1827, in his thirteenth year; was licensed to preach in 1866. His holy earnest, cheerful life gave him great influence for good. In Pettis County, where he lived, he was a faithful local preacher, not building on other men’s foundations, but preaching in schoolhouses in his own and adjoining counties, until prosperous societies were organized and churches built. He was not forgetful of the Scriptural injunction, ‘Let your light shine.’ He lacked a few weeks of being eighty years old, but in full possession of his mental powers he increased in usefulness to the end. Through the entire course of a long life he was a friend of truth and righteousness, a thorough Methodist of high conviction. He loved his own church, yet rejoiced in whatever of good he found in other churches. He loved all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. This was his motto:

‘Fellowship with all we hold
Who hold it with our Head.’

“He raised a large family, every one of whom was converted in early life and is a consistent and useful member of the church to-day. In the funeral sermon the preacher did not hesitate to speak of the excellencies of his Christian life, knowing that his neighbors would indorse every word he uttered. He was buried in the cemetery at Salem Church, Pettis County, Mo., where reposes the dust of his kindred.

“Tis sweet to believe of the absent we love, Though we miss them below we may meet them above.’ “He has carried with him out of the world as much true worth, I believe, as ever existed in any one heart.”