Obituary

William Sherman Porter

William Sherman Porter, son of James Anderson Porter and Martha Ann Gross Porter was born near Broughton, Ill., August 11, 1877, lived his entire life in the immediate vicinity of his birth and departed this life at 1:50 p.m. Nov. 30, 1955 at the age of 7 8 years, 3 months and 19 days. Sherman, as he was popularly known, was one of a family of 11 children of whom five survive him. They are Agnes Allen, Nellie Dawes, Ella Osborn, and James H. Porter, all of Broughton, Illinois and Letha Johnson of Eldorado , Illinois.

On January 5, 1898 he was united in marriage with Rosa Linden with whom he lived happily for almost 58 years. To this union six children were born, four of whom survive him. They are Denzel of rural route Eldorado, Ill., Wendell A. of Brought on, Ill., Mildred Grant of McLeansboro, Ill., and Jessie Lee Fosness of Great Bend, Kansas. Two infant sons preceded him in death.

At an early age he professed faith in his Christ and united with the Broughton Baptist church where he remained a faithful member for more than 60 years. In early manhood he was made a Deacon in his church and at the time of his passing was one of the Senior Deacons. His church was his whole social life and love. He belonged to no other social nor fraternal order.

At various times he served as Sunday school superintendent and because of his knowledge of the scriptures was much sought after as a teacher. To him religion was not something apart but was his whole existence, something to live by as well as for.

As a young man he entered into the merchantile business. Following in the footsteps of his late father he opened a general store in Broughton, Illinois. this venture was short-lived being distasteful to him because of the close confinement indoors the business entailed. He sold out his business and took a job as a rural mail carrier being one of the original carriers to serve the community when free rural delivery was instituted. He followed this occupation for 15 years combined with part-time farming. He served his patrons well and in so doing endeared himself to many a remote farm family whose sole connecting link with the outside world in times of sickness, distress or disaster was the rural mail carrier. During World War I he gave up his job as a rural carrier to devote his entire time and energies to farming. Farming was his great love. The great out-of-doors, the succession of seasons, the planting and harvest times were always new and fascinating experiences for him. He loved nature and all things pertaini ng there-to. He often expressed himself as being happiest when busiest and that he would not trade places with any other man. The fact that his wife and companion shared his interest in the things of nature intensified his enjoyment of them still more.

About 11 years ago the toll of the years forced him to retire from active farming. He leased his farm land but retained his residence which had been his home for over 40 years, a place which he loved dearly.

In all of his thoughts and actions he was progressive, aggressive and incisive. A job to be done was always a challenge yet he always found time to help the distressed. Many were succored through his efforts who never guessed their real benefactor.

Such was the life of a Christian gentleman, a pure and benevolent spirit and a true citizen. May the example of his life and the qualities of his soul guide aright those who follow him.