James Porter
Pictures Courtesy of Karen (Johnson) Winston, Duane C. Johnson (Bebe) & Raymond Pointer, Marguerite Berry-Jackson, Kimberly Maki, Derelys Brown & Benita Porter
James Porter and Emily Brazelton were united in marriage in Brownsville, Cass County, Michigan. Before moving to Mecosta County they lived in Brownsville that is now a ghost town. It was southeast of Cassopolis and Diamond Lake and southwest of Vandalia. James Porter came from Bourbon County, Kentucky and served in Michigan's 109th Colored Infantry during the Civil War. To this union were born three children: Emmett, Ezra, and Ida.
Emmett came to Mecosta County when he was about 15 years old to live with his mother in Big Rapids, Michigan. In January 1892, Emmett and Ida Ann Lett, daughter of Gabriel and Mary Ann Gross-Lett, were united in marriage. To this union 11 children were born: Mabel Jane (Nov. 3, 1892); Elmer Ezra (Jan. 1894); Jessie Ann (May 1896); Alfred died in infancy; Mary Ellen (Apr. 1899); Etta Mae (Feb. 5, 1900); Floyd Emmett (Mar 10, 1902); Charles Fredrick (Feb. 4, 1904; Dorothy Drucilla (Aug. 1906); Myrtle Fern (Oct. 26, 1908); and Perry M. (Nov. 8, 1912).
Mabel Jane Porter married John Henry Berry (SEE JOHN BERRY). Emmett died August 1939 and Ida Lett Porter died in December 1957. They are buried in West Wheatland Cemetery.
OSRW - 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization