In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1910) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910), The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
T. W. PORTER, postmaster, was born June 22, 1843, in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, and spent his boyhood days on a farm in that vicinity. After receiving a preparatory education in the common schools, he attended the State Normal. After arriving at maturity, he first engaged his attention to farming, for some five years. In 1865, he immigrated west, and spent two years in freighting in the Rocky Mountains. He then located in Bates County, Missouri, where he again engaged in farming, and, in 1868, he returned to his old home, in Michigan, residing there until April, 1870. He then came west, and settled near Xenia, Nodaway County, Missouri, and resumed his agricultural pursuits. Mr. P. came to Hopkins with the first settlement of the place, and assisted in building Donlin Brothers' store, the first business house erected in the place, and, during the process of erection he had to go to Xenia, six miles distant, to obtain board and lodging. In April, 1871, he opened a drug store, which was the second store of any consequence here. This store he continued to conduct until 1878. Mr. Porter received the appointment of postmaster of Hopkins, April 2, 1873, and has since continued to fill this position. The length of time during which he has held the office is ample evidence of the satisfaction he has given to all parties interested. In 1877, he moved into his present quarters. He owns two store buildings and property, also half a block of residence property, with two residences. The one in which he resided is one of the finest in town, and an ornament to the place. Mr. P. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., invhich he holds the office of treasurer. He held the position of secretary for several years. He was married on New Years day, 1872, to Miss Dallas S. Johnston, a native of Maryland.
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
THEODORE WILLIAM PORTER.
Eew citizens in the northeastern part of Nodaway county are as widely and favorably known as Theodore W. Porter, of Hopkins, where he is successfully engaged in the insurance and real estate business. His life has be come a part of the history of the community in which he has made his home for many years and his long and honorable business career has brought him before the public in such a way as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, combined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have ever been among his most prominent characteristics, and while laboring for individual success and for the material interests of the community, he has also been instrumental in promoting the moral and educational interests of the section in which he lives.
Theodore W. Porter was born June 22, 1843, ’n Battle Creek, Michigan, and is a son of William Lloyd and Roxy Ann (Beals) Porter. William L. Porter was born in New York state. His father was a lumberman, who operated a large number of sawmills in Allegany county. New York. William Porter and his family migrated to Michigan in 1831, blazing their way from Detroit to Battle Creek, where Mr. Porter entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. He married Roxy Ann Beals in New York state, and they became the parents of seven children. The mother of these children dying in 1858, the father married again and by the second union were born two children. Mr. Porter came to Hopkins, Missouri, in 1868, and here lived until his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a man of high character and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.
Theodore W. Porter was reared by his parents, his boyhood days being spent on the parental farmstead. He was educated in the public schools, supplementing this by a course in the Michigan State Normal School. At seventeen years of age he commenced life on his own account, and the following five years were spent in farming. In 1865, he began freighting across the Rocky mountains, in which he was engaged during the following two years. He then engaged in farming in Bates county, Missouri, but in 1868 he returned to Michigan, where he remained until the spring of 1869. In that year he located on a farm at Xenia, Nodaway county, Missouri, being one of the first settlers in Hopkins township. He was of an enterprising make-up and, seizing the opportunity, he opened a drug store, from which he sold the first merchandise bought in this township. In 1873 Mr. Porter was appointed postmaster at Hopkins and served seven years acceptably in this position. He remained in the drug business continuously and with marked success until 1884. In 1893 he went into the lumber business, in which he was successfully engaged for several years. He has for several years been engaged in the insurance and real estate business, being numbered among the leading citizens of the town. He possesses an accurate knowledge of local real estate values and his judgment is considered good and sound. He is also a notary public.
Mr. Porter is a Republican in his political predilections and has long stood high in the councils of his party. His popularity is attested by the fact that he served his town as clerk and collector for fourteen years and as a member of the school board for twenty-one consecutive years, during which period he exerted a definite influence in the direction of elevating the standard of the schools and the courses of study. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in the local lodge of which he has served as secretary for eighteen years, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is the present recorder.
On January t, 1872, Mr. Porter was united in marriage with Dallas Johnston, a native of Maryland, and they are the parents of a daughter, Cecil, who is now the wife of George W. Austin, of Olathe, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Porter move in the best social circles of Hopkins and are popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Porter has, because of his sterling qualities of character and his genuine worth, earned and retains the respect and confidence of the entire community, and as a representative citizen of this section of the county he is eminently entitled to representation in this work.
As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.