Obit for Charles "Charley" PORTER (b.1865 d.1901), Blue Earth Co., MN 

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Source #1: Newspaper
Mankato Free Press; 5 January 1901
Page 2: Column 3; Reads as follows:

DIED OF APPENDICITIS

A Promising Young Vernon Center Man Taken Off Suddenly.

Chas. Porter, a member of the firm Porter Bros., hardware dealers at 
Vernon Center, died at his home at four o'clock yesterday morning of 
appendicitis, after an illness of one week.  
He was a single man, about thirty years of age [age was 34], and was 
a member of the village council and school board.  He leaves two brothers 
and one sister: Milton who was in partnership with him, Miles, and 
Mrs. Frank Clague [Stella], of Lamberton [MN].  The deceased was a 
[first] cousin of Miss Nettie [Julia] Porter, of this city [Mankato,
 MN].  He was popular with all who knew him, and gave promise of a 
long and useful future until suddenly stricken down in the prime of 
his young manhood.  The disease developed so rapidly that after the 
seriousness of it was realized it was too late to take the patient 
to the hospital which he wanted to go.

The funeral services were held this afternoon at two o'clock.

[Information in brackets added by the transcriber, 
William W. Porter on 2-8-2001]


Source #2: Newspaper
Mankato Free Press; 12 January 1901
Page 2: Column 4; Reads as follows:

A GOOD MAN GONE

One of Vernon's Prominent Business Men is Gone.

Departed this life January 6th, 1901 at his home in Vernon Center, 
Minn., after a brief illness Charlie Porter second son of John and 
Ellen Porter, aged thirty-five years.  He was born in Ceresco 
township October 10th, 1865, his parents being among the pioneer 
settlers of Blue Earth county, his father John Porter now deceased, 
coming here from Wisconsin in 1857, settled on what is familiarly 
known as the old Porter place, and was married to Ellen Parks 
March 7th, 1861, and through all the terrible times of the Indian 
outbreak of 1862, these brave hearts refused to leave the home of 
their choice not only resolved to defend their own but always ready 
to go to the assistance of others in equal peril, but a kind Providence 
protected them, and here were born to them four children, three 
sons and a daughter all of whom, with the exception of the subject 
of this sketch are still living.  Born and reared in such surroundings, 
is it any wonder that Charlie's character was such as to endear himself 
to all.  By nature quiet, obliging, unselfish, pleasant; is the summing 
up of his disposition as a boy, qualities which were only accentuated 
in his manhood, truly he merited the title of "One of nature's noblemen."  
Feeling the need of better educational advantages Charlie attended the 
Mankato Commercial college from which institution he graduated in the 
spring of 1891, soon after which the family moved to Lake Crystal 
where they remained about five years during which time the father 
was taken away [died].  In March, 1896 they moved to Vernon Center 
where the three sons engaged in the hardware and machinery business.  
As a business man he was successful.  He was a member of the Knights 
of Pythias which order he joined in Lake Crystal and was transferred 
to Vernon when they instituted the castle in that place.  A large 
number of knights, many from neighboring towns marched in procession 
to show the last earthly token of respect and brotherly love to the 
departed knight.

Seldom has there been such a large gathering on such an occasion as 
assembled at the Methodist church last Monday, filling it to overflowing, 
to pay a final tribute of respect to one who was universally loved and 
respected and often it was remarked during his illness "Charlie has not 
an enemy in the world" and surely one who was ever a dutiful son and 
brother a kind obliging friend, a true and loyal citizen, is worthy of 
imitation and is sure to be greatly missed not only in the home circle 
but in the community as well.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Davis, pastor of the M. E. 
church assisted by Rev. MacDougall pastor of the Baptist church.  The 
music under the charge of E. W. Washburn was appropriate and 
impressively rendered and the flower offerings were extremely beautiful 
and in great profusion.

Sad indeed does it seem, that one whose future seemed so prophetic of 
usefulness, and happiness should in all the flush of young manhood be 
so suddenly taken away, but surely the reflection at the end of this 
transitory life upon earth, is but the beginning of a brighter, 
nobler, fuller existence, in the Land beyond the river, should comfort 
the sad hearts, now so desolate in their bereavement and let them 
ever remember that:

"Love abides though graves are deep and those we love are never dead."



Source #3: Certificate of Remembrance
Vernon [Center] Lodge No. 134, Knights of Pythias
Printed and hand scripted; Size: 16"wide x 20"high
Watermarked: 1900 Parchment Deed No. 31, Crane and Co. Dalton Mass.
Condition of the original is very poor with discoloration and brittle 
acidic deterioration.
Reads as follows:

Vernon Lodge No. 134, Knights of Pythias

In Memory of
Charles Porter.

Whereas, Death has invaded our "Fraternal Home" and has laid his 
icy hands upon a beloved brother and a link in the chain of 
"Brotherly Love" has been broken.  The Creator and Ruler of the 
Universe has removed one of our number into the Great Unknown.  
That his sudden departure reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty 
of human life and as he treads the (to his) unseen and mystic courts 
of the "Great Hereafter"; we are admonished that we too, are to change 
worlds and abide in a home somewhere beyond the tides of time.

Therefore Resolved, That in the death of Charles Porter our Lodge 
has lost one of its best and most faithful members, an able and 
efficient officer, the family an affectionate son and brother, the 
community one of its noble and worthy young men and the commonwealth 
one of its most exemplary citizens.

Resolved that a copy of these resolutions be tendered with the 
bereaved and sorrowing family, and upon their approval a copy be 
presented to the "Vernon Center News" for 
publication.

Resolved that these resolutions be put on file in the archive 
of this Lodge, and that we hereby declare this is a "Lodge in 
sorrow" for thirty (30) days and that our altars be suitably 
draped in mourning.

A. Davis
B. F. Fernald
Alf Henderson

Committee on Resolutions

[Transcribed from the original certificate on 4-27-2001.  
Information in square brackets added by the transcriber, William W. Porter]