David Porter (1887 - 1967)

Ancestors

Biography

David Porter was born on 24 May 1887 in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada to William Porter and Elizabeth Humphries.^[1]

He lived with his parents in Sarnia when he was very young.^[2] By 1900, the family had moved to Montgomery township, Wood county, Ohio, USA.^[3]

David enlisted in the US Army on 11 Feb 1909 at the Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.^[4]

In 1910, he was a private in the 20th Infantry Regiment posted to Manila, Phillipines, working as a cook.^{[5] [6]}

By 1912, he had returned to the United States and was living in Robinson, Illinois where he was an oil worker.^[7]

David married Bessie Holland on 12 Nov 1912 in Vigo county, Indiana.^{[8] [7]}

Unfortunately, the marriage was not successful and they separated sometime in 1916. Things came to a head on 10 May 1917, as reported in the newspapers:

Disappointed because his wife, Bessie Porter, 38 years old and decidedly attractive proprietress of a rooming house at 118 Walnut Street[, Eldorado, Kansas], refused to return to him after a separation of about a year ... Dave Porter, tool dresser, attempted murder and suicide Tuesday [8 May] evening. ... Mrs. Porter came here several months ago from Oklahoma and with her 12-year-old son has been conducting a rooming house. Porter only recently arrived from Newkirk, Oklahoma.

^[9]

Bessie Porter was the victim of David Porter's gun; David Porter was the victim of his own hand, and the near tragedy brings out another story of the eternal triangle. Gunning, he said, for a man under his wife's bed, David Porter shot Bessie Porter, intending the bullet for the "man in the case." His bullet, hitting a mark for which it was not intended, crazed the angry husband, and in his temporary madness Porter turned the gun on himself. ... Porter failed to end his life, but inflicted a terrible, gaping wound just over his heart. ... Police made a deligent search for the missing "man," but no one seemed to know him. ... The Porters moved to El Dorado a little more than a year ago, since which time she and her husband have constantly disagreed, it is said. Eight months ago Porter left his wife after making a property settlement. He went to Newkirk, Okla., where he had been living since the separation.

^[10]

Both Mr. and Mrs. Porter are in the hospital and will probably recover, although, Mrs. Porter is in a very precarious condition. Physicians at the hospital stated that both patients were resting easy this afternoon. ... The shooting yesterday ... is the climax of a series of domestic troubles covering a period of three of four years when the couple resided in Robinson, Ill. ... Mr. Porter came here from Robinson, Ill., about a year ago, he worked in a restaurant, then in the oil fields and later went to Newkirk, Okla.

^[11]

The United States entered World War I in 1917. David Porter's draft card was filled out on 5 Jun 1917 on which it says that he is "at present sick in Hospital at El Dorado Kans." Later, "Sentenced to Penitentiary" was added.^[6]

On 15 Jun 1917:

Dave Porter ... Will be transferred from the hospital to the county jail, probably Wednesday afternoon or Thursday. ... Assault with intent to kill is the charge placed against Porter. He ... will ask for a trial at the June term of court.

^[12]

On 8 Jan 1918, David enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) at Toronto, Ontario with a service number of 3032818.^{[13] [14]} He named his brother Wallace Porter as his next of kin. He is also shown as a widower although his wife was alive. In his service records, he also mentions his sister Mrs. James Forbes Lillie Porter) of Sarnia, Ontario.^[15]

His wife filed for divorce on 11 Jan 1918 in Kansas City, Missouri:

IN DISTRICT COURT ... Bessie Porter has filed suit for divorce from David Porter. They were married November 12, 1912, and on April 8th of this year he assaulted and shot her causing a very serious wound. For this he was arrested and is now serving time in the state penitentiary. She asks an absolute divorce.

^[16]

David began his service in the C.E.F. on 29 Mar 1918 initially serving with the 1st Canadian Ontario Regiment, 1st Depot Battalion.^[15] He was sent to France in March 1918 when he was transferred to the Canadian Railway Troops.

He completed his service on 8 Apr 1919 in Toronto, having returned to Canada on the HMS Caronia.

On 24 Jan 1920, he attempted to cross the border back to the United States but there is a line through his name suggesting that he could not enter.^[17]

He cannot be located on the 1920 US Census nor on the 1921 Canada Census. However, at some point he succeeded in crossing the border because in 1930, he was living in Pampa, Gray, Texas with his brother Leroy Porter.^[18] He cannot be located on the 1940 US Census. On his WW2 Draft Registration Card, dated 27 Apr 1942, he is shown as unemployed and still living in Pampa.^[19] In 1943, he is listed in the Pampa city directory as being the manager of the Pampa Athletic Club.^[20] In 1950, he is still living in Pampa.^[21] No occupation is listed.

David married Beulah M (Wyrick) Reed, a widow, sometime between 1952 and 1954. No marriage record can be located at this time.

His wife died in 1965.

David Porter died on 12 Mar 1967 and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Pampa.^{[22] [23]} He was 79 years old.

His obituary was published on 13 Mar 1967:

David Porter Funeral services for David Porter, 79, Clegg Apartments, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Duenkel Funeral Chapel conducted by the Rev. Thurman O. Upshaw, pastor of Central Baptist Church. Mr. Porter, a Pampa resident for 45 years, died shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday in Worley Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, on May 24, 1887, he was a retired oil field worker and a member of Central Baptist Church. Suvivors are two brother, Wallace of Phoenix, Ariz., Lee of Wickenburg, Ariz. ... Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery beside his wife, who died Feb. 27, 1965.

^[24]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Ontario, Canada Births, 1832-1917"
   Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-1913; Reel: 88; Record Group: Rg 80-2
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 8838 #1675839 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   David Porter born on 24 May 1887, son of William Porter & Elizabeth Humphreys, in Sarnia, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada.
2. ↑ 1891 Census: "1891 Census of Canada"
   Year: 1891; Census Place: Sarnia Town, Lambton West, Ontario, Canada; Roll: T-6348; Family No: 58; Page number: 13
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1274 #2570018 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   David Porter (4), single son, in household of Wm Portes (45) in Sarnia Town, Lambton West, Ontario, Canada. Born in Ontario.

   Wm Portes 45 Head Married M Oil Fuller Ireland

   Elizabeth Portes 42 Wife Married F Ontario

   Ella Portes 14 Daughter Single F Ontario

   William Portes 16 Son Single M Ontario

   Lillie Portes 12 Daughter Single F Ontario

   Wallace Porter 10 Son Single M Ontario

   Ray Porter 7 Son Single M Ontario

   David Porter 4 Son Single M Ontario

3. ↑ 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Montgomery, Wood, Ohio; Roll: 1334; Page: 20; Enumeration District: 0150
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7602 #41859268 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   David Porter (13), single son, in household of William Porter (55) in Montgomery, Wood, Ohio. Born in Canada.

   William Porter M White 55 Married Head Ireland

   Elizabeth Porter F White 51 Married Wife Canada

   Wallace Porter M White 19 Single Son Pumper Oil Wells Canada

   Leroy Porter M White 16 Single Son Laborer Tile Factory Canada

   David Porter M White 13 Single Son Canada

4. ↑ U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments: "U.S., Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914"
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1198 #1250971 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   Name: David Porter; Birthyear: abt 1887; Birthplace: Canada; Enlistment Age: 21 8/12.
5. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1910; Census Place: Cuartel De Espana, Manila, Philippines, Military and Naval Forces; Roll: T624_1784; Page: 1b; Enumeration District: 0275; FHL microfilm: 1375797
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7884 #32174035 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   David Porter (23), single private, Soldier, in household of Arren Burns (40) in Cuartel De Espana, Manila, Philippines, Military and Naval Forces, USA. Born in Canada.

   Arren Burns M White 40 Single Head Soldier Maine

   ...

   Henry Pecckham M White 21 Single Private Soldier New York

   David Porter M White 23 Single Private Soldier Canada

   George N Ragan M White 20 Single Private Soldier Colorado

   ...

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Military: "U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918"
   Registration State: Kansas; Registration County: Butler County
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6482 #28126348 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   Name: David Porter; Race: Caucasian (White); Marital Status: Married; Birth Date: 24 May 1887; Birth Place: Canada; Residence Date: 1917-1918; Residence Place: Butler County, Kansas, USA; Physical Build: Medium; Height: Medium; Hair Color: Light Brown; Eye Color: Light Blue.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Marriage: "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019"
   citing Page: 58; Digital film/folder number: 005329113; FHL microfilm: 001378234; Image number: 87
   FamilySearch Record: 27JL-86T (accessed 2 August 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-815Z-9V32
   David Porter marriage to Bessie Holland on 12 Nov 1912 in Vigo, Indiana, United States.
8. ↑ Marriage: "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 007030122_006_M9N7-P1M; Image number: 41
   FamilySearch Record: QPQX-5V58 (accessed 2 August 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-897W-1SQB
   David Porter marriage to Bessie Holland on 12 Nov 1912 in Vigo, Indiana, United States.
9. ↑ 1917 Newspaper: "Shoots Wife and Self" Newspapers.com
   The Wichita Beacon (Wichita, Kansas) Thu, May 10, 1917, page 2
   Newspapers Clip: 152182226 (accessed 2 August 2024)
10. ↑ 1917 Newspaper: "Shoots Wife, then Turns Gun on Self" Newspapers.com
    The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas) Thu, May 10, 1917, page 14
    Newspapers Clip: 152180737 (accessed 2 August 2024)
11. ↑ 1917 Newspaper: "Dave Porter Shoots Wife and Self; Will Recover" Newspapers.com
    El Dorado Republican (El Dorado, Kansas) Fri, May 11, 1917, page 5
    Newspapers Clip: 152182402 (accessed 2 August 2024)
12. ↑ 1917 Newspaper: "Porter to Go From Hospital to Prison" Newspapers.com
    Walnut Valley Times (El Dorado, Kansas) Fri, Jun 15, 1917, page 1
    Newspapers Clip: 152182871 (accessed 2 August 2024)
13. ↑ Military: "Canada, World War I CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918"
    Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918)
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1086 #726289 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Age: 27; Birth Date: 24 May 1887; Birth Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; Residence: Kansas City, MO , USA; Military Date: 1914-1918; Sibling: Wallace Porter; Next of Kin: Wallace Porter; Next of Kin Relationship: Brother; Regiment Number: 3032818.
14. ↑ Residence: "U.S., Residents Serving in Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 1917-1918"
    Original data: War Department. Office of the Provost Marshal General. Lists of United States Residents Serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and Australian Imperial Force [1917-1918]. Series PC-26 21. Textual records. NAID: 1157734 Records of the Selective Service System (World War I), Record Group 163. The National Archives at College Park, Maryland
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 9177 #18888 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 1887; Birth Place: Canada; Residence Date: 11 Jan 1918; Residence Place: Kansas City, Missouri; Nationality: Canadian; Marital Status: Widower; Serial Number: C315.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Military: "Canada, World War I CEF Personnel Files, 1914-1918"
    Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; CEF Personnel Files; Reference: RG 150; Volume: Box 7909 - 5
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 61084 #1197399 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Birth Date: 24 May 1887; Birth Place: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; Residence Place: Kansas City, MO; Relative: Wallace Porter; Relationship of Relative: Brother; Regimental Number: 3032818.
16. ↑ 1918 Newspaper: "Bessie asks for a divorce" Newspapers.com
    El Dorado Republican (El Dorado, Kansas) Fri, Jan 11, 1918, page 6
    Newspapers Clip: 152182959 (accessed 2 August 2024)
17. ↑ U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960: "U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960"
    The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC, USA; Manifests of Passengers Arriving At St. Albans, Vt, District Through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1895-1954; NAI: 4492490; Record Group: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: M1464; Roll Number: 388; Line Number: 18
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1075 #2461798 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Gender: Male; Race: Irish; Arrival Age: 33; Record Type: Arrival; Birth Date: abt 1887; Birth Place: Canada; Residence Place: Canada; Arrival Date: 24 Jan 1920; Port of Arrival: Port Huron, Michigan, USA; Sibling: Lilly Forbes.
18. ↑ 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
    Year: 1930; Census Place: Pampa, Gray, Texas; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0003; FHL microfilm: 2342070
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6224 #63692547 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    David Porter (43), divorced brother, Driller, in household of Leroy F Porter (47) at 617 Grace Street, Pampa, Gray, Texas, USA. Born in Canada.

    Leroy F Porter M White 47 Married Head Canada

    Susie H Porter F White 47 Married Wife Iowa

    Ruth M Barnholt F White 26 Married Daughter Saleslady Iowa

    David Porter M White 43 Divorced Brother Driller Canada

19. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942"
    The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (4th Registration) For the State of Texas; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1002 #12357654 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 24 May 1887; Residence Place: Pampa, Texas, USA; Military Draft Date: 1942; Next of Kin: Mr L. F. Porter.
20. ↑ 1943 Directory: "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995"
    Original data: Original sources vary according to directory. The title of the specific directory being viewed is listed at the top of the image viewer page. Check the directory title page image for full title and publication information
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 2469 #384187370 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Name: David Porter; Residence Year: 1943; Street Address: 425 N Russell; Residence Place: Pampa, Texas, USA; Occupation: Manager; Publication Title: Pampa, Texas, City Directory, 1943.
21. ↑ 1950 Census: "1950 United States Federal Census"
    National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Pampa, Gray, Texas; Roll: 640; Page: 79; Enumeration District: 90-17
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 62308 #190172628 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Dave Porter (62), divorced head of household in Pampa, Gray, Texas, USA.

    Dave Porter M White 62 Divorced Head

22. ↑ Death: "U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014"
    Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File
    Ancestry ca Record 3693 #49561567 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    David Porter death Mar 1967 (born 24 May 1887) residing at 79065, Pampa, Gray, Texas, USA.
23. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #98129319 (accessed 2 August 2024)
    Memorial page for David Porter (1887-1967), citing Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas, USA (plot: Sec. A); Maintained by joseph walker (contributor 47518571).
24. ↑ 1967 Newspaper: "Obituary for David Porter" Newspapers.com
    Pampa Daily News (Pampa, Texas) Mon, Mar 13, 1967, page 3
    Newspapers Clip: 152177576 (accessed 2 August 2024)