Biography of Jack R. Porter, St Francis County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Paul V Isbell Date: 19 Nov 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Rarely will one find a citizen as public-spirited and as unselfishly devoted to his community as Jack R. Porter. Mayor of Forrest City, part-time manager of the Chamber of Commerce, and Manager of the Railway Express Agency. Jack Porter was born in Helena, the son of the late Rev. J. W. and Ninnie Porter of West Helena. He graduated from Helena High School and in May 1924, came to Forrest City with the Railway Express Agency, with whom he is still employed, he has been associated with them since 1919. He has been President of the Young Business Man's Club; was organizer and General Chairman of the once nationally famous Crowley's Ridge Peach Festival from 1927 thru 1940; helped organize and served as President of the Eastern Arkansas Young Men's Club; and was an outstanding leader, and one time President of the Highway No. 1 Association, of which he is now the Secretary; and Sect/Treas. of the Forrest City Industries. A member of First Baptist Church, serves on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America; is Director of the Arkansas Municipal League, a member of the United Commercial Travelers and Brotherhood of Railway Clerks; from 1933 to 1938 he was a member of the Arkansas Centennial Commission, and has served on many local offices. After serving as Director of the Arkansas State Police from 1945-1949, when he returned to Forrest City. On Jan. 23, 1925, he married Miss Virgie Moore, daughter of J. W. and Frances Moore of Forrest City, and they have four daughters. SOURCE: HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher -Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas