JAMES & MARY PORTER FAMILY
Mini-genealogy
 

JAMES PORTER was born July 28, 1803 in Pittsburg, Pa, and died after 1880.  He married MARY DIXON BUCHANAN June 16, 1831 in Fayette County, Indiana, daughter of JAMES BUCHANAN.  MARY (Polly) BUCHANAN was born June 02, 1810 in Connersville, Fayette Co., Indiana, and died October 30, 1886 in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois.

1880 federal census for Hancock County, Illinois shows both parents of James Porter were born in Ireland.

James Porter purchased the following land on 03/25/1837 in Durham Township, Hancock County Illinois.
Style type = FD Legal Description = W2SE Section = 06 Twnship = 07N Range = 06W Meridian = 4 Acres Bought = 80 Price Per Acre = $1.25 Total Price = $100.00 Vol. = 699 Page = 068 (http://www.ilsos.net/cgi-bin/archives/land.s)

1842 Personal property tax record for James Porter was $200.00 (Hancock site)

1840 Federal Census for Hancock Co, Illinois shows James Porter and 2 males under 5, 1 male between 5 & 10, 1 female under 5 and 1 female between 5 & 10.
Known children are John born 1833, James Jr. born 1837 and George born about 1839.

James, Mary and sons John, James Jr. and George were on 1850 federal census for Hancock County, Illinois. James was listed as a carpenter.

James, Mary and sons James Jr., George, Wesley, Franklin and daughter Maria were on 1860 federal census for Durham township, Hancock County, Illinois. James was listed as a farmer.

James and Mary were on 1870 federal census for Appanoose Township, Hancock County Illinois James was listed as a farmer.

James and Mary were on 1880 federal census for Appanoose township, Hancock County, Illinois.  James was listed as a retired carpenter.

Mary was listed on 1830 federal census in Connersville, Fayette Co., In.

JAMES and MARY PORTER had 8 children.  Six of the children are as follows.  Missing names of 2 daughters born before 1840 and were not on 1850 census.
1. JOHN PORTER was born about 1833 in Indiana. John was on the 1850 federal census for Hancock County, Illinois.

2. JAMES PORTER, JR. was born April 13, 1837, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois and died September 15, 1904 in Paso Robles, Ca. James Jr. married ELIZABETH INDEPENDENCE MCMAHILL, Between 1894 & 1895 in Bradley, Monteray Co., Ca. James was on the 1850 federal census for Hancock County, Illinois.

3. GEORGE PORTER was born about 1839 in Illinois and died January 17, 1892 in Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.

4. WESLEY PORTER was born July 04, 1843 in Illinois; died July 26, 1914, Lambert, Alfalfa Co., Oklahoma.

5.  MARIA PORTER was born 1845, Illinois and died 1925.

6.  FRANKLIN PORTER was born February 10, 1849 in Durham Township, Hancock County,
    Illinois and died June 24, 1943 in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.
 
                           ***************************************

GEORGE PORTER son of James
Born April 13, 1837 in Illinois and died January 17, 1892 in Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.  He married NANCY J. YOUNG April 11, 1869 in Hancock Co., Illinois.  She was born About 1851 in Illinois and died Abt. 1940 in Kansas.

Obituary for George Porter
George Porter died at the home of his brother Frank in Appanoose township Saturday, age 54 years. (information from Hancock County Historical Society - Siegfried Scrapbook)

George was buried at Nauvoo City Cemetery in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.

George was living with parents on 1850 & 1860 federal census for Durham township, Hancock County, Illinois.

George was a farm laborer in Pontoosuc Township, Hancock County, Illinois on 1860 Federal Census.

George was living with wife Nancy in Appanoose Township, Hancock County, Illinois on the 1870 federal census. George was a farmer.

George was divorced on 1880 Federal census and living with daughter Josephine and parents in Appanoose Township, Hancock County, Illinois.

On 1870 census, Mary M. Young, age 22 and born in Indiana, was living with George & Nancy.

Nancy J. Young died about 1940 in Kansas and was buried near Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. Nancy married Lucian E. Lafferty on October 17, 1879 in Hancock County, Illinois.

Nancy was listed on 1900 federal census for Walnut Grove Township, McDonough County, Illinois with 2nd. Husband Lucian, son William Lafferty and granddaughter Callie May Porter.  1900 census shows 6 children born to Nancy Lafferty and 3 living in 1900.  Two of the three living would be Josephine Porter and William Lafferty.

GEORGE PORTER and NANCY YOUNG had one daughter.
1. JOSEPHINE PORTER, born August 03, 1870, Hancock Co., Il; died March 04, 1959, Lamar,
    Barton Co., Mo.

Child of LUCIAN E. LAFFERTY and NANCY YOUNG.
1. William Porter

JOSEPHINE PORTER daughter of George
Born August 03, 1870 in Hancock Co., Illinois, and died March 04, 1959 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri.  She met (1) THOMAS PORTER Bef. 1891. She married (2) THOMAS GEORGE STROMER February 24, 1909 in St. John, Stafford Co., Kansas, son of GUSTAVUS STROMER and MARY WITTICK.  He was born December 19, 1884 in Larned, Pawnee Co., Kansas, and died September 18, 1966 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri.

Obituary for Josephine Stromer
Sat a.m. Mar 7, 1959
Saturday Funeral Set for Woman, 88
St. John, Kan., March 6 -- Funeral services for Mrs. Josephine Stromer, 88, a former resident here, will be held from Barber Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery here.
Mrs. Stromer resided in St. John from 1909 until 1935. She died in a Lamar, Mo. hospital Wednesday.
Survivors include the husband, and a daughter, Mrs. Arthur Gariss, both of Lamar.  (Special to the Wichita Eagle)

Josephine was buried at Fairview Park Cemetery in St. John, Stafford County, Kansas on March 07, 1959 and husband Thomas was buried at this cemetery on September 21, 1966.

Josephine was living with father George Porter and grandparents James & Mary Porter in Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois on 1880 federal census.

Josephine was a housekeeper for Charles Taylor and living with daughter Inez on 1900 federal census for Persifer township, Knox Co., Illinois

Josephine and husband Thomas Stromer were living in Richland township, Stafford County, Kansas on 1910 federal census.  Inez was living with Josephine and Thomas on this census. Thomas was listed as a farmer.

Josephine and husband Thomas Stromer were living in Richland township, Stafford County, Kansas on 1920 federal census.  Inez was living with Josephine and Thomas on this census. Also, Francis and Helen Lafferty (children of William & Minnie Lafferty) were living with the Stromer’s.  Francis & Helen were listed as adopted on this census but may have not been officially adopted.  Thomas was listed as a farmer.

Josephine was a mail order bride to Thomas Stromer.

Josephine was a cook at a college in Galesburg.

Thomas Stromer was shown on 1900 federal census for Richland Township, Stafford Co., Kansas as living with father.
 
Children of JOSEPHINE PORTER and THOMAS PORTER are:
1. CALLIE MAY PORTER, born September 16, 1891, Bushnell, McDonough Co., Il; died
    March 06, 1910, Galesburg, Knox Co., Illinois
2. INEZ MARIE PORTER, born April 20, 1895, Knoxville, Knox Co., Ill; died
    December 1982, Lamar, Barton Co., Mo.
 
Child of JOSEPHINE PORTER and THOMAS STROMER is:
1. ARCHIE V STROMER, born March 25, 1910; died March 25, 1910. Archie's death was caused because he was a 'Blue Baby'.  Archie is buried at St. John Cemetery in Stafford County, Kansas.

Children of WILLIAM LAFFERTY and MINNIE are:
1. Francis Lafferty, born about 1910 in Nebraska
2. Helen Lafferty, born about 1912 in Illinois

CALLIE MAY PORTER daughter of Josephine
Born September 16, 1891 in Bushnell, McDonough Co., Illinois, and died March 06, 1910 in Galesburg, Knox Co., Illinois  She married ARTHUR GARISS December 17, 1907 in Galesburg, Knox Co., Il, son of LIBNIA GARISS and ELIZABETH STEEL.  He was born November 11, 1885 in Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Nebraska, and died March 23, 1973 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri.

Callie May died in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois and was taken by train to Tecumseh, Nebraska for burial.  Cemetery records show name as Mrs. Arthur (May) Gariss. Tombstone was installed in 2001 by a Granddaughter. Callie was buried at block 109, lot 4F in Tecumseh City Cemetery in Tecumseh, Johnson County, Nebraska.

McDonough County courthouse does not have a birth certificate for Callie Mae Porter.  Also searched Macomb & Bushnell Illinois newspapers, 1892 history, family files and obituaries by McDonough County Genealogical Society in September 2001.

Callie died from Congestive Heart Failure (Childbirth Complications?).
 
Callie was listed on 1900 federal census for Walnut Grove Township, McDonough County, Illinois.  She was living with grandparents Lucien E. and Nancy Lafferty.
This census shows Callie born in September 1892.

Arthur was listed on the following federal census:
1900, Nemaha precinct, Johnson Co, Ne. with parents.
1910, Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Ne. with parents.
1920, Nemaha precinct, Johnson Co, Ne. with parents & 2 children from 1st marriage.
Arthur graduated in 1900 from the 9th grade in Nemaha precinct, Johnson Co., Ne.
Arthur’s nickname was Art.  His primary occupation was farmer.  At other times, his occupation was Taffy maker for a traveling carnival, blacksmith on 1920 census and laborer on 1910 census.

INEZ MARIE PORTER daughter of Josephine Porter
Born April 20, 1895 in Knoxville, Knox Co., Illinois and died December 1982 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri.  She married ARTHUR GARISS (brother-in-law) November 27, 1922 in Auburn, Nemaha Co., Ne, son of LIBNIA GARISS and ELIZABETH STEEL.  He was born November 11, 1885 in Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Nebraska, and died March 23, 1973 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri.  Inez was buried at Howell Cemetery in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri with husband of 50 years, Arthur Gariss.

Inez was on the following federal census:
1900, Knox Co., Illinois with mother Josephine
1910, Richland township, Stafford Co., Kansas with mother & step-dad
1920, Richland township, Stafford Co., Kansas with mother & step-dad

                        ***************************************

WESLEY PORTER son of James
Born July 04, 1843 in Illinois, and died July 26, 1914 in Lambert, Alfalfa Co., Ok.  He married ALICE KAY March 11, 1866 in Apponoose, Hancock Co., Illinois, daughter of THOMAS KAY and ISABEL KAY.  She was born March 04, 1847 in England (all census records show Alice born in Illinois), and died April 04, 1935 in Lambert, Alfalfa Co., Ok.

Wesley was living with parents on 1850 federal census for Hancock County, Illinois.

Wesley was living with wife Alice and children in Pontoosuc township, Hancock County, Illinois on 1870 federal census and in Appanoose township, Hancock County, Illinois on 1880 federal census. Wesley was listed as a farmer on 1880 census.

Wesley was living with wife Alice and daughter in Eagle Chief township, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma on 1910 federal census.

Alice was living with son Franklin and daughter in Eagle Chief Township, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma on 1920 federal census.

WESLEY PORTER and ALICE KAY had the following children.
1. SARAH PORTER, born Abt. 1867, Il; died Unknown. Sarah is living with Wesley &
   Alice Porter on 1870 census and with grandparents James and Mary Porter on
   1880 federal census for Appanoose township, Hancock County, Illinois.

2. FRANKLIN PORTER, born August 03, 1868, Il; died June 26, 1943, Cherokee,
   Alfalfa Co., Ok.   Franklin was on 1870 federal census for Pontoosuc
   Township, Hancock County, Illinois with parents.  Franklin was living with
   parents on 1880 federal census for Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois

   Franklin was on 1910 federal census for Eagle Chief Township, Alfalfa Co.,
   Ok.  He was on 1920 federal census for Eagle Chief Township, Alfalfa Co.,
   Ok.  Eight year old nephew Merl J. Layton was living with Franklin,
   Franklin's mother Alice and Franklin's sister Pearl.  Merl was born in
   Oklahoma.

3. ERNEST C. PORTER, born Abt. April 1870, Il; died February 14, 1955,
   Kiokuk, Ia.  Ernest was on 1870 federal census for Pontoosuc Township, Hancock
   County, Illinois with parents.  Ernest was living with parents on 1880
   federal census for Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.  Ernest nickname
   was Ernie.

4. EDWARD H. PORTER, born November 21, 1872 in Illinois; died October 31, 1959,
   Carmen, Arfalfa Co., Oklahoma.  Edward was on 1870 federal census for
   Pontoosuc Township, Hancock County, Illinois with parents. Edward's nickname
   was Edd.
 
5. MARY ALICE PORTER, born March 05, 1873, Il; died June 01, 1925, Williamsburg,
   Ks.  Mary was listed on 1880 federal census living with parents in Appanoose
   Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.

6. EFFEY MELLISA PORTER, born February 25, 1875 in Illinois; died April 24,
   1958, Formoso, Jewell Co., Ks on Hettinger farm. Effey was on 1880 federal
   census for Appanoose township, Hancock County, Illinois with parents.

7. JAMES WESLEY PORTER, born March 21, 1877 in Illinois; died October 26, 1950,
   Supply, Ok. James was on 1880 federal census for Appanoose township, Hancock
   County, Illinois with parents.

8. EMMA BLANCH PORTER, born August 02, 1881; died June 18, 1911, Lambert,
   Alfalfa Co., Ok.  Emma's nickname was Em.

9. PEARL EDNA PORTER, born June 13, 1886; died January 30, 1977, Cherokee, Alfalfa
   County, Oklahoma.  Pearl was on 1910 federal census in Eagle Chief Township,
   Alfalfa Co., Ok living with parents and on 1920 federal census in Eagle
   Chief Township, Alfalfa Co., Oklahoma with brother Franklin and Mother
   Alice.

                         ***************************************

MARIA PORTER daughter of James
Born 1845 in Illinois, and died in 1925.  She married HIRAM W. ELLIOTT on September 24, 1866 in Hancock Co., Illinois.  Hiram was born 1839 in Pa, and died 1925.

Maria was listed on 1850 and 1860 federal census in Hancock County, Illinois with parents and on 1870, 1880, 1910 and 1920 federal census in Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Illinois with husband.  Adopted daughter Alice Tull was also listed on 1870 census with Maria and Hiram Elliott.

Possible parents and siblings for Hiram W. Elliott from 1850 federal census, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois were:
? Samuel Elliott age 40 born Pa
? Lucinda Elliott age 39 born NY
? George Elliott  age 17 born Pa
? Daniel Elliott   age 14 born Pa
? Hiram Elliott    age 12 born Pa
? Oscar Elliott    age 10 born Pa
? Are??? Elliott   age 8 born Pa
? Samuel Elliott  age 5 born Pa

Adopted child of MARIA PORTER and HIRAM ELLIOTT is:
1.  ALICE TULL, born Abt. 1867, Illinois

Possible parents of Alice Tull were Jacob B. and Harriet J. Carley Tull.  Siblings are William age 11, Ada M. age 9, female age 7, female age 5 and Minnie A. age 1.  This is from 1870 federal census for Pontoosuc township, Hancock Co., Illinois.
Several Tull's were listed on page 47 of the 1870 census.  Jacob B. Tull and Harriet J. Carley married February 19, 1857.

                         ***************************************

FRANKLIN PORTER son of James
Born February 10, 1849 in Durham Township, Hancock Co., Illinois, and died June 24, 1943 in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.  He married ELIZABETH COTTIER April 02, 1878 in Hancock Co., Illinois, daughter of WILLIAM COTTIER and ELIZABETH KELLY.  She was born about 1859 in Missouri, and died 1900 in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois. Sisters of Elizabeth were Clara and Annie.

Obituary for Franklin Porter
After a long and useful life, Franklin Porter passed away at his home Thursday night after 3 months of illness.  He was born in Durham township in 1849, one of a family of eight children.  When he was 17 the family moved near the Mound school in Appanoose and to Sonora township at the age of 21 and he has lived here ever since.  On Feb. 10, 1878 he was married to Elizabeth Cottier who died in 1900 leaving him with three children, Clara, Albert and John.  John, who has been a companion to his father, survives; also one granddaughter, Mrs. Mae Parker who with her family lived at the old home and made his later years pleasant and carefree.  94 years, 4 months and 14 days covers a long span of life, Mr. Porter was a well educated man and a good citizen.  For 8 years he was a school teacher and for 16 years he ran a threshing machine.  He was a student and a scholar and for years he was clerk of insurance company.  He was a skilled penman and was a successful penmanship teacher at different schools.  The funeral services were conducted at his home Sunday afternoon by Elder P. L. Powell and the interment was in Nauvoo.  'The Carthage Republican Newspaper - June 30, 1943 - page 3, column 1'

Obituary for Franklin Porter
Thursday July 1, 1943
Franklin Porter passed away at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Kelsey Parker, Thursday, age 94 years.
(information from Hancock County Historical Society - Siegfried Scrapbook)

Franklin was buried in the Nauvoo City Cemetery, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.

Franklin was on the following federal census:
1870, Appanoose Township, Hancock Co., Il
1880, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il. with wife and daughter
1900, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il. with children
1920, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il. with son-in-law Brown and Daughter

Elizabeth was on the following federal census:
1870, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il. with mother
1880, Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il. with husband and daughter

Children of FRANKLIN PORTER and ELIZABETH COTTIER are:
1.  CLARA J. PORTER, born January 1879, Il; died Bef. 1943.
2.  ALBERT W PORTER, born November 1880, Il; died January 1904.
 
    Obituary for Albert Porter
    Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1904
    Albert Porter, son of Franklin Porter of Sonora township, night operator for
    the Hannibal and St. Joe railroad at St. Joseph, Mo., was killed by falling
    from a trestle near the station Saturday night.  He had delivered an order
    to a train crew, and on returning to his office found another, in railroad
    language, "a slow order," to another crew.  He stumbled and fell off a
    trestle while delivering this message, a distance of about 18 feet and was
    killed. (information from Hancock County Historical Society - Siegfried
    Scrapbook)

    Albert was listed on 1900 federal census in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Il
    With his Father.

3.  JOHN FULLER PORTER, born January 18, 1889, Sonora Township, Hancock
    Co., Illinois and died February 03, 1972, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois

    John was on 1900 federal census with his father in Sonora township, Hancock
    County, Illinois
 
    John was on 1920 federal census with his sister Clara and brother-in-law
    Brown in Sonora township, Hancock County, Illinois
    John attended Elliott Grade school in Sonora township, Hancock Co., Illinois and
    Elliott Business College in Burlington, Iowa.

    John's nickname was Johnie and his occupation in 1920 was farm laborer.

    Obituary for John Fuller Porter
    John Fuller Porter, 83, a lifetime resident of Nauvoo, died February 3 at
    8:30 a.m. in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dowell.
    Mr. Porter was born in Sonora township on January 18, 1889, the son of
    Franklin and Elizabeth Cottier Porter. He is survived by one niece, Mrs, May
    Huthcison, Nauvoo; two great nieces, Mrs. Arlie Dowell, with whom he had
    made his home the past 20 years, and Mrs. John (Doris) Cannizzaro, Fullerton
    California; one great nephew, Norman Parker, Hannibal, Missouri; several
    great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
    Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Clara Brown,
    and a brother, Albert Porter.
    He attended Elliot Grade school in Sonora township and Elliott Business
    College in Burlington, Iowa. He will be remembered as having an outstanding
    memory of history and local facts concerning neighbors and friends, a love
    of children, especially his nieces and nephews, a love of home and a special
    interest in nature and wildlife.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. February 5 in the Nauvoo United
    Methodist Church with The Rev. Terry L. Clark officiating.  Music was
    provided by Miss Doris Grant, organist, and Mrs. David Gnann and Mrs. Joseph
    Bossler who sang.
    Interment was in the Nauvoo City Cemetery.
    (information from Hancock County Historical Society - Siegfried Scrapbook)

    John was buried February 05, 1972, in the Nauvoo City Cemetery in
    Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois

                      ***************************************

CLARA J. PORTER daughter of Franklin
Born January 1879 in Il, and died Bef. 1943.  She married CLARENCE H. BROWN.  He was born Abt. 1878 in Illinois

Clara was with parents on 1880 federal census in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois
And was with father on 1900 federal census in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.
Clara was with husband Clarence (farmer) and daughter May O. Brown on 1900 federal census in Sonora Township, Hancock Co., Illinois.

Child of CLARA PORTER and CLARENCE BROWN is:
1. MAY O. BROWN, born Abt. 1906, in Illinois. She married (1) KELSEY PARKER Bef.
   1943.  She married (2) UNKNOW MALE HUTCHISON Bef. 1972.
 
   ******************************

I have more information on many of the families listed above.  Some family names that I have are: Cottier, Elliott, Kay, Porter and Tull.

******************************

Many thanks to Hancock County Historical Society for helping me get information on my Porter family.

Don Sherron dlsherron@aol.com