Porsch, Henry Family

PORSCH, HIGDAY, ZIMMERMAN

Posted By: Linda Ewin Ziemann (email)
Date: 9/6/2003 at 11:08:49

Henry Porsch, the youngest of three children born to Thomas Porsch (October 9, 1821-October 29, 1894) and Margaret Zimmerman (March 23, early 1800's-January 4, 1901), entered this world December 6, 1867 in Springfield, Illinois. It is not known how or when Henry came to Iowa.

He married Ranah Edith Higday (August 1, 1872-November 10, 1954), first of two daughters born to George Higday (April 25, 1837-February 25, 1888) and Lois L. Kane (September 28, 1840-October 25, 1886) on July 31, 1890 at LeMars, Iowa. They farmed in America and Elkhorn Townships of Plymouth County, Iowa, and both spent their later years in Woodbury County, in and around Sioux City.

At one time Henry worked as a drayman in Leeds, a suburb of Sioux City, Iowa. One day while delivering a load of coal Henry was smoking his pipe as was his habit. He said he heard the Lord say, "Henry throw that pipe away." So, that's what he did and he never smoked again.

Sometime after 1911 Henry and Ranah separated, each going their separate ways. Henry made his home with their oldest daughter and Ranah worked as a cook in cafes in Iowa, Nebraska, and Oregon. She also managed several rooming houses in Sioux City.

Henry lived with Ruby and Gene in Sioux City, LeMars and Arizona. At different times he lived with Lloyd and Clara, and at one time he farmed at Rodney, Iowa. In the late 1940's until his death he lived with Clara and Ben at their farm home in Banner Township, Woodbury County. During those last years Ruby and Gene moved their mobile home out to the farm and Ruby helped Clara take care of Henry. Henry died at age 83.

In her later years Ranah lived in a small house in Leeds, Iowa. She also lived with Clara and Ben at the farm different times. She spent the last months of her life living with Lloyd and Clara in their home at Leeds, where she died at age 82.

Although Henry and Ranah never lived together after their separation, they were friends in their last years and spent many hours visiting together when they both were in attendance at family get togethers.

Descendants of Henry and Ranah still residing in Woodbury County are Lloyd, Thomas Porsch-son of Lloyd who married Bonnie Ives of Sioux City, Randy Porsch-son of Thomas who married Lisa Koser of Sioux City, Lois Fay-daughter of Clara who first married Douglas Depue Foster of Moville, Iowa. (Douglas died of Polio in 1952.) Lois then married Raymond Denham of Battle Creek, Iowa, in 1965. Virginia Fay Foster-daughter of Lois who married Donald Robert January 14, 1932, (3 sons-Ronald, Leslie who died at birth, Darrell and Thomas.)

Contributed by Don Kelley
dkelley@internetcds.com