Eighth Generation

521. Edward Dorsey PORTER was born on 23 June 1852 in Bowling Green, Pike, MO.^1391,1811 He appeared in the census in 1860 in Hannibal, Marion, MO.¹⁴⁰⁸ In 1872 he was an associate of RM Roberts in the mining industry in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸¹² Edward was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias in 1878 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸¹³ He appeared in the census in 1880 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸¹⁴ On 16 April 1883 in Joplin, Jasper, MO he with RM Roberts sues T B Dorsey for payment of debt.¹⁸¹⁵ Between 1885 and 1889 Edward was a postmaster in Joplin, Jasper, MO.^{1816,1817,1818} On 28 May 1886 in Kansas City, Jackson, MO he continues at State Court against TB Dorsey.¹⁸¹⁹ On 5 October 1886 in Kansas City, Jackson, MO he suit dismissed by court.^1820,1821 Edward died on 23 June 1901 at the age of 49 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.^{1391,1811,1812,1822} He was buried after 23 June 1901 at Fairview Cemetery in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²² He has reference number 762. A History of Jasper County, MO, Vol II, p 802: Edward Porter - In the thirty years of his residence in Joplin it was given to Edward Porter to play a useful and prominent part in the life of the city, exceeded in these qualities probably by no other citizen. He served with distinction as mayor and postmaster and was one of the most enthusiastic factors in the development of the mining interests of Jasper county in the capacity of president of the Rex Mining & Smelting Company. He left a large estate at his demise and to the community he left a legacy of even greater value, an unsullied record of good citizenship and high ideals whose influence has by no means been lost.
The late Edward Porter was born in Bowling Green, Pike county, Missouri, January 23, 1852, and was the scion of excellent families. His father, Gilchrist Porter, was a native of Virginia, who came to Hannibal, Missouri, at an early day and there as a talented and prominent member of the bar, attained honors and renown. His grandfather, Comerford Porter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a long-established American family, whose members well served their country as patriots and good citizens. Comerford Porter subsequently removed from his native state to the Old Dominion.
Mr. Porter spent his early life in Hannibal, Missouri, where he attended school for a short period, the greater part of his education having come later and having been of the self-imposed, but very effectual sort. He was of a practical tun and at the age of thirteen years he began to make his own living. He came to Joplin in the month of February, 1872, when a youth of about twenty years, and became associated with R M Roberts, in the mining industry, continuing thus engaged until 1901, when he left the state and removed to San Antonio, Texas, a short time before his death, on January 23, 1901.
Mr. Porter was a shining example of that typically American product, the self-made man, and the part he played industrially and in the development of natural resources of the state can not be estimated too highly. In addition to his other interests he was interested in one thousand acres of valuable mineral land owned by the Rex Mining & Smelting Company. He was one of the organizers of the Joplin National Bank and at one time held the office of vice-president. He was postmaster of Joplin under President Grover Cleveland ( the first administration) to the general satisfaction, and for one term served as mayor of Joplin and his administration of the affairs of that office were in the direction of progress and civic integrity. His loyalty to Joplin was proverbial and he was exceedingly popular.
Mr. Porter was married October 24, 1888 to Millie Schnur, daughter of Peter and Adaline Schnur, prominent citizens of Joplin, and in this union he found the fulfillment of his youthful dreams. His honored wife and three children survive him, the latter being Paul, born October 31, 1889 now a student in the University of Missouri; Edward, born January 25, 1893, and in attendance at the Joplin High School; and Helen, born January 17, 1896, also a pupil in the city high school.
Politically Mr. Porter gave allegiance to the Democratic party, to whose articles of faith he had subscribed since his earliest voting days. Fraternally he was a popular member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belonged to the Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs. Mrs. Porter is very prominent in society circles and her home is one of the attractive and cultured abodes of the city.
On other pages of this work devoted to the lives and achievements of representative Jasper county citizens will be found a biography of Mr. Peter Schnur, Mrs. Porter's father, and therein is given a history of her family.

1883 History of Jasper County, p 407: In the year 1877 the following additions to the city were laid out and recorded: Porter's second addition to Joplin, June 22, 1877... I don't know if this is Edward Dorsey Porter, but I suspect it may have been. Requires additional research.

Also - in the History of Jasper County, p 916: In 1880, Henry Weymann associated with Chris Guengerich and Ferd de Stwolinsky, built the first concentrating plant at the Joplin mines being the third mill built in the Southwest Missouri mining district. The mill was located on the Porter land on East Seventh street, about six blocks east of main. Unable to find here a sufficient supply of ore for running the mill regularly, Mr. Weymann caused the same to be moved in 1881 from Joplin to Carterville, onto the Gaston and Company mine, where the cleaning of the ore by this mill proved very satisfactory and was the cause of erecting many other mills in various parts of the mining district.
...In connection with the buying of zinc ore Mr. Weymann was engaged also in the buying of lead ore at the different mining camps of the Southwest Missouri mining district, shipping the lead ore to the various smelting and refinign companies located in the United States. H continued to be the heaviest lead ore shipper from this district for many years until 1906, when a general change was made in the operating of the lead smelters.

Edward Dorsey PORTER and Millie SCHNUR were married on 24 October 1888 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²³ They¹⁸²³ appeared in the census in 1900 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²⁴ Millie SCHNUR, daughter of Peter SCHNUR and Adeline COFFEEN, was born on 18 July 1867 in Gallion, , OH.¹⁸²⁵ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²⁶ She appeared in the census in 1910 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²⁷ Millie appeared in the census in 1920 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²⁸ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸²⁹ She was buried in June 1935 in Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸³⁰ Millie died on 1 June 1935 at the age of 67 in Joplin, Jasper, MO.¹⁸³¹ She has reference number 889.

Edward Dorsey PORTER and Millie SCHNUR had the following children: