Harry M. Porter 1885-1966

PORTER, MANATT, WATSON, WICHMAN, JACOBS, TOHT, KING, WHITE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/10/2008 at 18:05:59

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Monday, April 25, 1966

HARRY M. PORTER, LOCAL RESIDENT SUCCUMBS SUNDAY

Harry M. Porter, 80, of 1305 Ninth Avenue, died suddenly late Sunday morning at a local hospital.

Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Malcom Presbyterian church with the Rev. George W. Roquet, pastor of the First United Presbyterian church at Brooklyn, officiating. Vocal music will be provided by Mrs. Marilyn Stahl, accompanied by Mrs. Nellie Farley at the organ.

Pallbearers will be Harold Andes, Edward Barnes, Robert Baltisberger, Walter Beck, Edward Hollmann and James Van Arkel. Flower bearers will be Mrs. Harold Andes, Mrs. Edward Barnes and Mrs. Edward Hollmann. Burial will be in Hazelwood cemetery with Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The son of John Frank and Roberta E. Porter, he was born on the family farm two miles southeast of Grinnell on May 26th, 1885. He attended the local rural school near the farm and Grinnell high school.

On Nov. 29th, 1906, at Grinnell, he was united in marriage with Alma Manatt. She preceded him in death on July 17th, 1922. To this union was born one daughter, Mrs. William (Velma) Watson of Hopkins, Minn.

On Aug. 23rd, 1924, he was married to Esther Wichman Manatt at Albert Lea, Minn. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Bernard (Mildred) Jacobs of Syracuse, N.Y., and Melvin Allen Porter of Newton, Kan.

Also surviving are two step children, Mrs. Peter (Claudine) Toht of Dayton, Ohio, and James H. Manatt of Malcom.

Mr. Porter farmed in the Grinnell area early in his life and then lived near Albert Lea, Minn., for over 20 years. He returned to Iowa in 1936 to farm near Deep River and then returned to the family farm in 1941. Mr. and Mrs. Porter retired from the farm in 1962 to make their home in Grinnell.

He was an Elder in the United Presbyterian church at Malcom and served his church in several capacities as a layman.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1916; his father in 1934; his wife, Alma, in 1922; two brothers, Edward and Keith Porter; two sisters, Mrs. Hazel King and Mrs. Lila White; and two infant grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Esther at the family home, five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.