James Buchanan Porter and Mary Ann Leslie Porter ~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~ November 2024

James Buchanan Porter

 

Mary Ann Leslie Porter

James Buchanan Porter is mentioned many times in Mt. Pleasant's History.

 

 

James Buchanan Porter

was born on 4 Aug 1805 

in Buffalo, Pennsylvania

Parents

Father: James Porter

Mother: Mary Elizabeth Buchanan

James married Mary Ann Leslie

1 Nov 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah

James died on 17 Apr 1873

in Mt. Pleasant, Utah

LESLIE, Mary Ann Typed History Outline

Contributed By

MOTHER LESLIE - A Partial History

LESLIE, Mary Ann Typed History Outline

Contributed By

The rough draft’s spelling and words are as accurate as possible as was suggested by the family search director.  

 

MOTHER LESLIE - A Partial History

This partial handwritten history outline was typed from a rough draft about, I believe, Mary Ann Leslie, Personal Identification Number (PIN) KWNI-5Z7, wife to James Buchanan Porter (Sr) PIN KWN1-5ZH. The outline was in the handwriting of Eleanor May McCombs (Porter), PIN KWZF-2KR.

Eleanor McCombs (Porter) was the wife of Willis John Porter, grandson of Mary Ann Leslie. 

Mary Ann’s son, James Buchanan Porter, JR. lived the final years of his life in the home of his son, Willis John Porter, and Willis’ wife, Eleanor McCombs (Porter).

Mary Ann was born in Montrose, Scotland 8 Aug 1834.

Born of Andrew Leslie and Ann Thompson.

She went to school in Arboth (correct spelling: Arbroath?), Scotland.

Came to America at 11 years of age.

Married at 17 to James Buchanan Porter Sr. at Salt Lake City Endowment House.

Mother of 10 children- 1 stillborn.

Lived in Provo. 3 children-moved.

Trips to Salt Lake took 3 days. They stopped at Pleasant Grove and camped on the way.

Springville Creek there at Springville.

James Buchanan Porter helped put up a grist mill. Jacob Houtgh (or Houtsh) helped – owned for a while. 

Went to Mt. Pleasant - to help build a fort. Men planted gardens. Indian trouble.

Grandma Charlotte Staunton Hyde, wife of Orsen Hyde, taught school.

Tannery – made shoes for people in Fort.

Night run stock in the fort – walls 3 ft thick.

Beat drum when Indians attack. Indians would break back of cattle they couldn’t drive.

Moved out of fort to start town.

Log house with lean too for kitchen and large front room.

Built a rock house 1st wife lived in.

Presbyterrian  church (church possibly?) is now.

Mother Leslie never complained or had bad (feelings?)for anyone.

Cornbread to eat.

James Buchanan Porter was born in the large room of their home.

Then, they moved to a cellar dugout. Hole in in-ground slant roof – snow 3 ft deep in winter.

All children had measles while living in the cellar.

Ann & Jane went to dried fruit at Springville.

Started molasses factory. Children get skimmings (and) make molasses candy.

Party of molasses pulling.

Theatre (traveling show) came to town all wanted to go.

Went to school first Primary School Miss Tina Morrison. “Dad’s” (J.B.Porter, Jr’s) first day at school 6 or 7 blocks from school. He went home at recess.

When windows were broken out they put a pillow in the window (incident of Mr Lesli Brig Lu (or Lee).

Andrew & Jones (or James?) – Ander (Andrew) – teased Janes (James?) – gave    went home crying – mar (or man) Lovegreen how is Jimmy ( Entry ends here.)

This partial handwritten history outline was typed from a rough draft about, I believe, Mary Ann Leslie, Personal Identification Number (PIN) KWNI-5Z7, wife to James Buchanan Porter (Sr) PIN KWN1-5ZH. The outline was in the handwriting of Eleanor May McCombs (Porter), PIN KWZF-2KR.

Eleanor McCombs (Porter) was the wife of Willis John Porter, grandson of Mary Ann Leslie. Mary Ann’s son, James Buchanan Porter, JR. lived the final years of his life in the home of his son, Willis John Porter and Willis’ wife, Eleanor McCombs (Porter).

The rough draft’s spelling and words are as accurate as possible as was suggested by the family search director. The original handwritten copy follows this one for reference.

Born in Montrose, Scotland 8 Aug 1834.

Born of Andrew Leslie and Ann Thompson.

Went to school in Arboth (correct spelling-Arbroath?), Scotland.

Came to America at 11 yrs of age.

Married at 17 to James Buchanan Porter Sr. at Salt Lake City Endowment House.

Mother of 10 children- 1 still born.

Lived in Provo. 3 children-moved.

Trips to Salt Lake took 3 days. They stopped at Pleasant Grove and camped on the way.

Springville Creek there at Springville.

James Buchanan Porter helped put up griss mill. Jacob Houtgh (or Houtsh) helped – owned for a while. Went to Mt. Pleasant - help build fort. Men planted garden. Indian trouble.

Grandma Hyde, wife of Orsen Hyde, taught school.

Tannary – made shoes for people in fort.

Night run stock in the fort – walls 3 ft thick.

Beat drum when Indian attack. Indian would break back of cattle they couldn’t drive.

Moved out of fort to start town.

Log house with lean too for kitchen and large front room.

Built rock house 1st wife lived in.

Presty (or Pristy?) of chruch (church possibly?) is now.

Mother Leslie never complained never had bad (feelings toward?)for anyone.

Corn bread to eat.

James Buchanan Porter born in the large room of home.

Then moved to cellar dugout. Hole in in ground slant roof – snow 3 ft deep in winter.

All children had measles while living in cellar.

Ann & Jane went to dried fruit at Springville.

Started molasses factory. Children get scimmings (and) make molasses candy.

Party of molasses pulling.

Theatre (traveling show) came to town all wanted to go.

Went to school first Primary School Miss Tina Morrison. “Dad’s” (J.B.Porter, Jr’s) first day at school 6 or 7 blocks from school. He went home at recess.

When windows were broken out they put a pillow in the window (incident of Mr Lesli Brig Lu (or Lee).

Andrew & Jones (or James?) – Ander (Andrew) – teased Janes (James?) – gave licke (licken?) went home crying – mar (or man) Lovegreen how is Jimmy ( Entry ends here.)

He is buried next to his wife

Mary Ann Leslie Porter 

in Mt. Pleasant, Utah

Plot: A_60_1_6



~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James and Mary Ann's Children


 

Mary Ellen Porter
B: 23 Feb 1854
D: 25 Sep 1914
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Plot # A_60_1_8

 Ann Catherine Porter
B: 18 Jan 1856
M: Augustus Gustave Nelson
D: 23 Jul 1948
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Plot # A_19_1_4

 
 Brigham Young Porter
B: 5 Feb 1858
M: Christina Threna Christensen
D: 26 Apr 1946
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Plot # A_79_1_3


 
  Jane Kent Porter
B: 13 Mar 1850
M: John William Coates
D: 5 Apr 1942
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Plot # A_152_2_5




Heber C. Porter 
B: 23 Feb 1862
D: 23 Sep 1865
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Plot # A_60_1_1


Rosella Marie Porter
B: 26 Mar 1864
M: Jacob Larsen Jacobsen
D: 12 Mar 1959
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery 
Plot # A-65_1_7




Rebecca Porter
B: 26 Oct 1866
M: Henry Taylor Reynolds
D: 28 Sep 1958
Springville City Cemetery
Plot: Blk 42 Lot 2 Pos 8

 
Andrew Leslie Porter
B: 28 Jan 1871
M: Julia Ida Boyer
D: 2 May 1959
Springville Evergreen Cemetery
Sec B Lot 143 Pos 1

James Buchanan Porter
B: 9 May 1873
M: Emily Tate 
D: 15 Nov 1961
Salt Lake City Cemetery
R_15_5_1E_N2

April 14, 1894, the militia was organized in Mt. Pleasant. This company was known as Company C, First Infantry, and was mus­tered in by Colonel Tatlock, with Thomas Braby, Captain; Daniel C. Jensen, First Lieutenant; Magnus G. Rolph, Second Lieutenant, and was commissioned by Kaleb W. West, the last Territorial Governor. The company consisted of the following: Thomas Braby, Daniel C. Jensen, M. G. Rolph, J. M. Boyden, M. A. Boy­den, W. E. Watson, L. P. Nelson, J. W. Lowe, John Forsland. A. B. Williams, G. W. Thompson, B. C. Skillicorn, Willie Ander­son, Ferdinand Ericksen, Charles Hampshire, Axel Bjelke, E. W. Wall, Ole Olson, Clarence Winters, W. P. Winters, George W. Reynolds, John O. Lofgren, J. B. Porter, Andrew L. Porter, Byron G. Wheelock, George Christensen, Henry Ericksen, Erick H. Erick­sen, Olaf C. Andersen, John Knudsen, Amasa Aldrich, James Jor­gensen, James F. Jensen, Louis H. Brand, George Brand, George M. Miller, William B. Allen, Bent R. Hansen, L. 1. Harward, Olaf Rosenlof, John H. Hansen, Arthur McArthur. Mt. Pleasant History p 174

During the late summer and during the fall and winter months, P. M. Peel and James Porter Sr., built a chopping mill on Peel's lot on Pleasant Creek, (northeast corner, intersection, Main Street and First West) where the stream had previously been taken out and used for irrigation purposes. Here the stream furnished the water power with which to run the mill. Owing to the distance to the nearest flour mill, this mill was a great assistance, and the people were glad to take their wheat there to be chopped. It was ground between two stones and came out quite black, but coarse as it was, it served the purpose and was used for bread. At about this time, a small Burr mill was built east on Pleasant Creek, a little south of where the Mount Pleasant flour mill is now, by John

Fredrick Fechser and John Ellertsen, (Spring City). A whip saw was installed in the fort, on the banks of Pleasant Creek, by Wellington Seeley and Rudolph N. Bennett, and was operated by Tho­mas Dutton.  Mt. Pleasant History p 64

Because of the need of shoes, one of the most important and useful industries was that of leather tanning. A tannery was established by James Porter, on the east side of the street, First West between Main and First South, and here with others, John Willis was employed. Wallis, a professional tanner, also operated a tannery on his lot, Main Street and Third East. He did splendid work and was a great help to the community. Later, N. P. Nielsen, usually known as Pete Tanner, set up in a smaller way an establishment on his lot in the western part of the city. Still later, a stock company was organized, for which certificates were issued and stock in the company was sold. This company was located on Twin Creek and was later run for a number of years by Emanuel Christensen.     Mt. Pleasant History p 73 

The North Ward Association was re-organized November 2, 1886, as follows: Joseph Madsen, president; Mangus G. Rolph and William Sorensen, counselors. The South Ward Association was re-organized with George Christensen as president; Ferdinand Clark and Lauritz Clark, counselors; Ferdinand Ericksen, Secre­tary. Mangus G. Rolph became president of the Ward February 29, 1888. The respective associations in both wards continued to meet together for several years after the division with their two sets of presiding officers. No records have been preserved for the period commencing with April 3, 1889, and ending with October 20, 1895. On the latter date, Adolph Merz was sustained as pres­ident, with Robert W. Livingston as First, and John A. Matson, as Second Counselor. Christian N. Lund, Jr., Secretary. By this time Mt. Pleasant had again become only one ward; hence the last organization included all the young men in Mt. Pleasant. John H. Hansen was sustained as Second counselor to President Merz, October 18, 1896, and James B. Porter, secretary and treas­urer. The society was re-organized September 25 1897, as follows: Robert W. Livingston, President; Andrew Larsen, First, and Asa F. Reynolds, Second Counselor; James B. Porter, Secretary. John N. Ericksen and Asa F. Reynolds were sustained as counselors to President Livingston, November 27, 1899, with the following offi­cers, who still acted at the close of the century: John N. Ericksen, President; Christian Johansen, First, and Byron Carter, Second Counselor; Eugene McArthur, Secretary. Mt. Pleasant History p 257

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 

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INDIAN WAR VETERANS REUNION ~~~ 1922 ~~~ SPANISH FORK

 

L to R: Eli Brazee Kelsey Ferguson,  Joseph Moroni Westwood, Rudolphus Nathaniel Bennett

 

HISTORY OF MOUNT PLEASANT ~~~ Hilda Madsen Longsdorf 1939 ~ Introduction

 

Dr. Duncan J.McMillan ~~~ Wasatch Academy ~ Founded April, 19, 1875

 This page is taken from Louise Johansen's Scrapbook.

Deseret News May 28, 2001 ~~~Poor Farm

 

Memorial is dedicated to 'Poor Farm' inhabitants
By Deseret News May 28, 2001, 10:40am MDT
Carma Wadley senior writer

 https://www.deseret.com/2001/5/28/19588594/sanpete-honors-forgotten-souls

 

William Ditmer was a blind shoemaker who lived and worked in Fairview. At the end of his life, he went to live at the "Poor Farm," as the Sanpete County Infirmary was called in those days. When he died in 1916, Ditmer was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave.

Legacy's a quirky thing. Those who try to manufacture it are not always successful. Those who never give it a thought are often the ones who have untold impact.

When William Ditmer lived out his quiet, useful life in Fairview, he probably had no idea that all these years later people would be remembering him. Or that because of him, others whose only claim to fame might be that they did the best they could would be honored.

This Memorial Day, the town of Fairview is dedicating a monument to all those who lived and died at the Infirmary. They need to be remembered in a positive way, said Norma Vance, who has spearheaded the the memorial project. "At the time, there was a bit of a stigma attached to going to the Poor Farm. Maybe this will help to exonerate them."

Many of them were immigrants, far from their families. But to come here showed such faith and courage, she said. And many were simply caught by circumstance. "When age came upon them, some fell victim to ill health and could no longer do for themselves."

The story of the monument actually began on a wintry day in 1992. A former resident of Fairview came to the home of Norma and Herald Vance with an old clarinet. It had belonged to William Ditmer, the man said, and it should go in the Fairview Museum.

"I had read a little about Ditmer, but when I actually saw and touched his clarinet, he seemed so real, and I wanted to know more about him," Norma said.

She thought about him from time to time. But it wasn't until 1998, when she and Herald were asked to speak at Fairview's Patriotic Program, that she did more research. "I knew I wanted to talk about William Ditmer."

He had been born in Denmark in 1857, she found. As a small boy he had contracted the measles, which had taken his sight. He learned the shoemaker trade at a school for the blind in Denmark. He joined the LDS Church and came to Fairview in 1886.

Golden Sanderson, one of Fairview's long-time residents, remembered Ditmer in his life story. "He did his shoe repairing mostly by feel," Sanderson wrote, "and could always pick up the right tool or tacks. . . . He lived an isolated life and barely lived off his trade. My parents often helped him with a bowl of soup or other food."

But Ditmer was also a skilled musician. "When darkness came with only the flicker of the kerosene lamp, it was comforting to hear strains of music coming from the old man's house," wrote Sanderson. "It was Ditmer who started some students out on reed instruments until finally a band was organized."

That's what struck her about Ditmer, says Norma. Here he was, blind and barely getting by, "but he gave something back to the community."



Norma went to the Fairview sexton's office to get Ditmer's exact birth and death dates, and that's when she found out that he had gone to live at the Poor Farm. "And I was shocked to see so many more names on the sexton's records of people who had died there."

At least 34 other men and women had died at the Infirmary during its years of operation, and many had been buried in unmarked graves at the Fairview Cemetery, she found.

After the talk at the Patriotic Program, one of the audience members commented on the need for a monument, and that kept nagging at the Vances, who finally took the matter to the City Council in September 1999.

The council agreed, but it has taken awhile to get it all put together. And it has become a community project.

"The Poor Farm was a special spot. Everyone knew where it was, and that's what everyone called it," says Margaret Bench, chaplain of the North Bench Camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, which has been involved.

"One of our DUP themes is that our heritage binds us together," adds DUP secretary Becky Roberts. "And this is our heritage."

The infirmary was built in 1895. At that time, not only was the county's population increasing, but the economic depression of 1893 had created a growing number of indigents, and county commissioners looked for ways to support them.

"They settled upon the idea of purchasing a farm where able-bodied indigents could work," Norma said. A two-story building was constructed, with separate wings for the men and women. At any one time, it could accommodate between 16-20 men and eight women.

It operated until the early 1930s. The abandoned building was finally torn down in 1980.

Nowadays, you probably couldn't get away with calling it the Poor Farm, but it was an important part of Fairview history, Mayor Ron Giles said.

The granite marker has been created by Leon Monk, who owns a monument shop in Mt. Pleasant. The marker features a drawing of the building on one side, and a tribute to those who lived and died there on the other. They decided not to list individual names, Monk said, because there were some discrepancies in names and dates and they weren't sure they even had all of them.

It's been quite a project, but he's been glad to be involved, said Monk, who has donated all his labor in creating the monument. "Those people had tough lives. But we need to remember them."

Remembering, after all, is what this day is all about.

But it is not just for their sake that we remember the William Ditmers of the world, Norma said, it is also for our own. The very act of remembering can make us more aware, more appreciative, more connected to each other.

And that, as much as anything, may be the legacy of the blind shoemaker of Fairview.