My Genealogy Hound

JAMES B. PORTER, farmer, P. O. Ripley, an old and eminently esteemed pioneer citizen of Union Township, was born in Lycoming County, Penn., October 21, 1799. He is the oldest son of Isaac and Ann (Wilson) Porter, who were natives of the East. His father was born March 17, 1760, and his mother May 20, 1774. They were married November 8, 1797, and came to Ohio in 1810, locating one mile below Aberdeen. In 1811, they removed near Decatur in Byrd Township, where they resided until 1818, when they came to Union Township and located on the land now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Porter departed this life February 21, 1840, and Mrs. P. March 13, 1861. They had born to them eleven children, of whom our subject is the third child. He was reared to his majority in the primeval forests of Union Township, and received only such an education as the schools of the day afforded. His father was unfortunately a cripple, and the duty of caring for him devolved upon our subject. He took charge of the farm and cleared of it about 60 acres, besides 100 acres of other land. Mr. Porter has always followed the independent avocation of farming. It is needless to say that his life has been a successful one, for the broad acres that he recently owned attest to the industry and successful management of this sturdy old pioneer. In 1860, he was possessor of 400 acres of land, all of which were the fruits of his own labors. Mr. Porter has passed the summit of life. The vicissitudes intermingled with the sunshine and storms, prosperity and adversity of fourscore and three years have swept over the bent form of this aged pioneer with untold velocity. Many changes and improvements have occurred during the long period of his existence in Union Township. The majority of what is, was effected in this space of time. He ever lent a helping hand to the worthy enterprises of his county, and nothing of a charitable, religious or educational character was ever presented to him but what it received his liberal support. As a citizen, Mr. Porter is loyal and upright, and has the fullest esteem and confidence of his fellow-men. Mr. Porter celebrated his marriage March 6, 1826, with Miss Mary Pettyjohn, a daughter of John and Sarah Pettyjohn, who were Virginians. Mrs. Porter was born in Monongalia County, Va., February 18, 1805. Eleven children were the issue of this union; of them eight are living — Isaac, born April 22, 1827; Sallie A., born January 23, 1829 (wife of M. C. Kimball); Amos, born January 6, 1831; Eliza, born March 29, 1833 (wife of Hiram Ellis); Mary J., born April 5, 1835 (widow of William Bennington); James P., born September 2, 1837; Rachel, born August 3, 1842, and Moses P., born September 25, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years. They reared two sons who are itinerant ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.