Randolph  County,  Indiana

Frank  B. Porter


            This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force, for Frank B. Porter, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a number of years one of the popular and successful business men of Parker, Randolph county. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competency for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.
            Frank B. Porter, well-known druggist, was born in Decatur, Indiana, December 7, 1879. He was a son of John R. and Sarah I. (Davis) Porter, whose family consisted of seven children, namely: Frank B., subject of this sketch; Curtis died in infancy; Velma married H. H. McGill, a machinist, and they live in Ohio; Gertrude died in infancy; Chalmer O.; Leah Viola; Thurman E., born February 7, 1888 on the homestead where all the children were born; he was educated in the local schools and the high school, after which he taught school for two years, then entered the drug business in which he has remained.
            Frank B. Porter grew to manhood on the home farm and worked there when a boy, and received a good public school education. He and Thurman E. took the prescribed drug course and became registered pharmacists. Our subject taught school very acceptably for three years, then turned his attention to the drug business which he followed the rest of his life. He and his brother Thurman E. worked in the same drug store for a period of four years. In 1906 Frank B. came to the town of Parker and purchased a drug store in partnership with M. T. Atwood, which continued for one year, when Mr. Porter bought his partner out. Then Thurman E. Porter purchased a half interest on January 1. 1910, and the brothers enjoyed a large and rapidly growing trade with the town and surrounding country, carrying a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and drug sundries- everything to be found in an up-to-date drug store, and, being honest and courteous in their treatment of their hundreds of customers, enjoyed the confidence and good will of every one. Their store was always a credit to the community and would have, in fact, been a credit to a much larger place. Thurman E. Porter still runs the business in the interest of himself and our subject's widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Lillian D. Blackamore and to whom he was married on July 20, 1905. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Blackamore.
            Frank B. Porter was married first on December 25, 1899, to Miss Flora Frazier, of Decatur, Indiana. One child was born to them, Leah. Mrs. Porter died January, 1902.
            Thurman E. Porter married Lettie Gates, a daughter of John Gates, the prominent stock buyer of this locality, Mrs. Porter being one of four children.
            Frank B. Porter was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he was a Democrat. Thurman E. Porter is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic Order, being master of the Lodge No.2, Free and Accepted Masons.
            The death of Frank B. Porter occurred on June 11, 1912, caused by a runaway accident, and his untimely taking off was deeply deplored by the entire community where he was very popular and greatly beloved by all classes.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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