HARVEY PORTER
Harvey Porter is numbered among the early settlers of
Richman township, his residence here dating from 1865. From that time to
the present he has lived upon the farm which he now owns and
since reaching maturity has been proprietor of the place,
which reflects his many years of care and labor in its
attractive and productive condition. He was born in Vinton county, Ohio,
October 29, 1864, and is a son of James W. and Nancy (Albin)
Porter, also natives of that state, the former born in Vinton
county and the latter in Guernsey county. They came to Iowa
in 1865 and located on a farm in Richman township, Wayne
county, whereon the subject of this review now resides. In their family
were three children: Ira,
who lives in Clay township, Wayne county: Mrs. McKinley, also
of Wayne county; and Harvey, of this review. A more extended
mention of this family is made on another page in this work in
connection with the sketch of George W. McKinley.
Harvey Porter grew up on his father’s farm and by
assisting in its operation became at an early age familiar
with the best and most practical agricultural methods. This training has
been invaluable to him in the conduct of his interests which
are now extensive, placing him in the front ranks of
progressive and able agriculturists. He owns the old homestead of three
hundred and twenty acres, lying on sections 8 and 9, Richman
township, and this property is well developed and well
cultivated, rewarding his competent management by increasing
productiveness year by year.
Mr. Porter has made substantial improvements, having
erected a well furnished and modern home, good barns and
outbuildings. In
addition to general farming he also raises stock and both
branches of his interests are proving important and profitable
under his able management.
Mr. Porter has been twice married. He wedded first on
the 7th of September, 1886, Miss Nevada Ulm, who
was born in Clarke county, Iowa, and there grew to womanhood,
dying in Richman township, this county, March 13, 1901. To their union were
born the following children:
J. W., whose birth occurred on the 16th of
June, 1887, and who is now an attorney at law in Twin Falls,
Idaho; Mrs. Maude Taylor, who was born November 11, 1888, and
who is residing in Warren township, Lucas county; Bert H.,
whose birth occurred March 1, 1891, and who now resides in
Decatur county; Guy, who was born August 4, 1893, and who now
resides in Twin Falls, Idaho; and King, born August 12, 1895. These children all
attended the common schools of this vicinity and the oldest,
J. W., was for six years a student at Drake University. On the 28th
of September, 1903, Mr. Porter was again married, his second
wife being Miss Clara Pryor, who was born May 6, 1886. She is a daughter
of Wayne B. and Susie (Clarke) Pryor, the former of whom was
born in Decatur county, Iowa, July 3, 1856, and the latter in
Monroe county, this state, August 17, 1865. The mother passed
away in Decatur county, March 24, 1892. The father survives
her and still makes his home in his native county, whither his
parents came as pioneers.
In the Pryor family were the following children: John, who has
passed away; Clay, who was born July 30, 1882, and who is
residing on the home farm in Decatur county; Mrs. Porter, wife
of the subject of this review; Alma, who was born November 16,
1888, and who is residing in Richman township; and Mrs. Laura
Reynolds, who was born October 24, 1890, and who now resides
in Decatur county. All
of these children were born in Decatur county with the
exception of Mrs. Porter and Alma.
Mr. Porter gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is connected fraternally with the independent Order of Odd Fellows of Humeston. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. They are representatives of two of the best known families in Wayne county and their many sterling qualities of character have gained them the respect and esteem of all who come in contact with them.