john_frank_porter2

Welcome to the FAMILY porter history web site

The April 3, 1930 Census in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma records the following:

Address: 230 South West 9th (Pine)

J. F. Porter, age 59, age 21 at first marriage, born Illinois, father and mother from United States, occupation: Proprietor, Store.

Lilly M. Porter, age 54, age 16 at first marriage, born Iowa, father and mother from Iowa

Paul F. Porter, 18, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa, occupation: Clerk, Store.

Anna M. Porter, 10, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Lucile Lopez, daughter, 26, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa.

Six families lived at this address:

J. F. Porter, Lilly M. Porter, Paul F. Porter, Anna M. Porter

Lucile Lopez

Martin Pain, Ada Pain, Genevieve Pain, Donald Pain

Luther Bryant, Pauline Bryant

Lotus Wiggins, Della Wiggins

Joe Leal, Mary J Leal, Rose Leal, Marie Leal

Henry Enloe, Alley Enloe, William Enloe, Bessie Enloe, Seward Enloe

The farm (240 acres) was sold to W.D. Greenshields of Kay County, Oklahoma on March 27, 1946 for $5,000.

Image from Oklahoma City Zoning Map showing the Wheeler Park area south of downtown.
Two great floods swept down the North Canadian River in June and October 1923, cutting a new channel. Wheeler park was literally cut in two when the river, over flood stage, overtook the Lake Overholser dam. The park zoo was relocated at this time when most of the animals were killed in the flood. Everything was flooded up to California Avenue. 15,000 people were left homeless. The Daily Oklahoman reported that “a roving mob of 75 to 100 hoboes were looting at the area around S.W. 10th and Robinson (near the Porter grocery store).

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3 John Frank Porter - Page 2

Mary graduated from Wheeler Elementary School (east side of Capital Hill) in 1920 and was married in 1922.

Clark graduated from Oklahoma City High School in 1921, and married Bonnie on July 4, 1921.

Frank’s brother Charley and his wife Mary helped them buy a grocery store at 1005 South Robinson that had a rooming house, actually an old hotel/boarding house, much needed for the large family with extra rooms for boarders.

The January 14, 1920 Census in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma records the following:

Street Address: 127 East Poplar (between Oklahoma and Walnut on SE 22nd Street, on the east side of the tracks on the east side of Capital Hill, now a vacant lot. At that time, Lightning Creek ran across the back of the property)

John F. Porter, 49, born Illinois, father and mother from Illinois, occupation: laborer at M,K&T Railroad.

Lillie M. Porter, 44, born Iowa, father and mother from Iowa

Clark Porter, 18, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Mary Porter, 15, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Lucille Porter, 12, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Pauline Porter, 9, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Paul F. Porter, 7, born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

Anna M. Porter, 7 mo., born Oklahoma, father from Illinois, mother from Iowa

The 1920 Oklahoma City Directory shows:

Jennings, Albert C (Mabel B) coach cleaner, St Louis & Santa Fe Railway Co, residence 300 W Pine (at Harvey Street)

Porter, Clark, student, home 127 E. Poplar

Porter, John F (Lillie M), trucker, M K & T Railway, residence 127 E. Poplar

The 1921 Oklahoma City Directory shows:

Business: Grocers, Retail, Porter JF, 1005 S Robinson Avenue

Living at 1001 S Robinson, John Grantland

Living at 1005 S Robinson, Porter JF

Living at 1005-1/2 S Robinson, Tony Foral

Jennings, Albert, laborer, Enterprise Seed Co, rooms at 1811 W. Avenue B

Porter, Clark, clerk, J F Porter, home 1005 S. Robinson Avenue

Porter, John F (Lillie M) grocer, 1005 S Robinson Avenue

The 1922 Oklahoma City Directory shows:

Business: Grocers, Retail, Porter & Son, 1005 S Robinson Avenue

Living at 1001 S Robinson, John Grantland, Thomas Hall

Living at 1005 S Robinson, Porter & Son

Living at 1005-1/2 S Robinson, Porter, JF

Jennings, Albert C (Blanche), pipefitters helper, Wilson & Co, residence 413 W. Oak

Jennings, Bonnie, packer, Iten Biscuit Co, home 413 W. Oak

Jennings, Wilma, employee American Cracker & Candy Co, home 313 W. Oak

Porter, Clarke O, employee Iten Biscuit Co, home 1005-1/2 S. Robinson Ave.

Porter, Goldie L, home 1005 S. Robinson Ave.

Porter, John F (Lillie) residence 1005-1/2 S. Robinson Ave.

Porter, Mary S, employee Iten Biscuit Co, home 1005-1/2 S. Robinson Ave.

Porter & Son (JF and CO Porter) grocers, 1005 S. Robinson Ave.