EDWARD KININGER PORTER. A resident of Carbondale during the last thirty
years, and for twenty-eight years of that period one of the city's active,
enterprising and progressive merchants, Edward K. Porter, a leading druggist
in this section, has secured a firm footing in the regard and good opinion
of the business world of Southern Illinois. And, as he has also taken an
earnest interest and a serviceable part in the public affairs of the city
and county, he has risen to corresponding esteem among the people generally
as a wide-awake, progressive and public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Porter
was born at Salem, Illinois, on January 2, 1860, and is a son of Alfred and
Lucy (Kininger) Porter. The father was an industrious, skillful and
prosperous shoemaker for a number of years, then turned his attention to
farming with good results. He had adaptability to circumstances and
resourcefulness in meeting requirements, however unexpected they were, and
so made all his efforts in whatever occupied his intention tell to his
advantage and steady advancement.
The son secured a common and high
school education, which he extended by private study and reading. He
attended the pharmacy department of the State University at Champaign, from
which he was graduated in 1885, legally qualified to practice pharmacy in
all its departments. Prior to this time, however, he had served as clerk in
a drug store in Moberly, Missouri, during the year 1879. He was also in the
same capacity in Carbondale from 1881 to 1893, except while attending the
University. In this way he obtained both practical and theoretical knowledge
of the business, and was well qualified to conduct it in the most acceptable
and capable manner when he became possessed of a drug store of his own in
1893.
In that year he bought an interest in the store of P. A.
Prickett, and the name of the firm conducting the establishment became
Prickett & Porter. The partnership lasted until 1902, when Mr. Porter
purchased Mr. Prickett 's interest in the business and became its sole
proprietor. Since then he has carried it on alone, keeping pace with the
progress of events and the course of trade, meeting all the requirements of
the community in his line, and winning a steadily increasing volume of
patronage. He handles drugs, paints, oil, wallpapers, and all kindred
commodities, and keeps his stock in each up to the utmost demand and filled
with the latest productions of the factories. The prescription department is
a specialty to which he gives his personal attention, and in this he uses
only the best and purest drugs, and compounds them with the greatest care
and highest skill exhaustive study and long practice can give him.
Mr. Porter has given close attention to the public affairs of the city,
county and state of his residence, and rendered the people valuable service
in the performance of public duties, especially in connection with the cause
of public education. He has for years been a member of the city school
board, and under the administration of Governor Tanner was treasurer of the
Southern Illinois Normal University. When Governor Deneen first became the
state executive, Mr. Porter was again appointed to this important position,
and he still retains it. His second accession to it was in 1905, and his
incumbency has been unbroken since that year.
It is an easy
inference from his' repeated appointment to this office that Mr. Porter is a
loyal Republican. But while he is always active and effective in the service
of his party, he does not let his partnership interfere with his business or
overbear his sense of duty to his community. In reference to these interests
he is non-partisan, but none the less energetic, enterprising and
progressive. No move for the development or improvement of Carbondale or
Jackson county goes without his effective aid, and in contributing his help
he is found to be both wise in counsel and intelligent, practical and
zealous in action.
On the 26th of May, 1886, Mr. Porter was united
in marriage with Miss Nellie Davis, of Carbondale, a daughter of John and
Martha Davis, esteemed residents of this city, from which the father covered
an extensive territory as a traveling salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Porter had two
children: Margaret, who is the wife of Harlan P. Curd, of Amarillo, Texas,
auditor of the Santa Fe Railroad; and Evelyn, who is living at home with her
father and is a student in the Southern Illinois Normal University. Mrs.
Porter ended a very useful and appreciated life on April 28, 1899. For years
she had been an ardent and faithful worker in her church, the Methodist
Episcopal, and in the activities of the Women's Club, of which she was a
charter member. Her hand was ready and open, too, in connection with all
worthy charitable work in the community. Mr. Porter is a member of the
official Board of Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is a
Freemason. In this order he gave his lodge valued service for years as
secretary.
Extracted 15 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages 800-801.