Biographical Sketch of Ernest L. & Birch D. Porter, Johnson County, Missouri, Concordia. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Ernest L. Porter and Birch D. Porter, widely known as the Porter Brothers, proprietors of "The Valley View Farm Kennels" at Concordia, Missouri have an established reputation that is country wide, for breeders and trainers of high class field dogs. They are also known throughout Missouri as successful stockmen, raising Denmark saddle horses, Spotted Poland China hogs, and high grade cattle. for many years the two brothers have been partners and formerly they also trained horses, but in recent years this phase of the horse business has been abandoned. The Porter Brothers are the sons of John W. and Fannie G. (Harper) Porter, who are at the present time residing in Dunksburg, Missouri where for years, Mr. Porter was engaged in the milling business. John W. Porter was born in 1838 in Smith county, Tennessee, son of Peter and Louisa Porter. In 1860, he was married to Fannie G. Harper, daughter of Matthew and Mary Harper, of Tenn- essee. Both the Porter and Harper families were pioneer settlers of Missouri, coming to Johnson county many years prior to the Civil War. Mr. Porter succeeded well in life in his chosen vocation of farming and at one time was the owner of a splendid farm in Johnson county. About ten years ago, he retired from active business and he and Mrs. Porter moved from the farm to Dunksburg, Missouri, where they now reside. To John W. and Fannie G. (Harper) Porter have been born eight children, all of whom are now living: William A., Mrs. Lula Park, Mrs. Cora A. Carter, Mrs. Lillie G. Park, John B., Ernest L., Claud W. and Birch D. The Porter Brothers have five hundred acres of land leased in Johnson county, most of which is devoted to meadow land and hay fields. They will have two hundred tons of hay this year, 1917. Since the partnership was formed many years ago, Ernest L. and Birch D. Porter have been well known as prosperous cattlemen, farmers and livestock breeders. Several years past, they added a dog kennel on their stock farm and began breeding and training setters, pointers, Irish water spaniels, fox and wolf hounds, cat and varmint hounds, rabbit and squirrel hounds, coon hounds and combina- tion hunters. They were successful far beyond their greatest expec- tations and an extensive patronage was rapidly built, the kennel becoming renowned all over the United States and Canada. The dogs are sold on a guarantee and ten days' trial and sporting folks every- where have the utmost confidence in any product of "The Valley View Farm Kennels." The dogs are bred on the farm under the very best conditions. Dogs may also be boarded and trained at reasonable prices on the farm. The Porter Brothers make a specialty of yard breaking and force retrieving. They usually have as many as four hundred grown dogs and puppies annually on the place. "Commanche Don" F. D. S. B. 37927, by "Comanche Frank," out of Hard Cash's "Becky" the best bird dog in the state, is now at stud for a fee of twenty- five dollars. This dog is worth more than a thousand dollars, as is also "Champion Frisco Bedelia," an Irish water spaniel, an undefeated winner, which has four points above the championship. She has won thirty-three first and special prizes and has produced nine winners, among them, "Fannie McGee," the Panama Exposition winner. Her pups are selling for one hundred dollars each and trained dogs are valued at one hundred fifty dollars on up. The two brothers are the best informed and most interesting conversationalists on the subject of dogs in the state of Missouri. The water spaniels are usually sold to sportsmen for duck hunting in the northern part of America, but the bird dogs are shipped in all directions. A fine dog is worth as much and often more than a good horse. In 1906, Birch D. Porter was united in marriage with Coda Berry, daughter of James Berry, of Sweetsprings, Missouri. In 1908, Ernest L. Porter was united in marriage with Mary F. Porter, daughter of G. W. and Sarah Porter. Although Ernest L. and Mary F. Porter bore the same name prior to marriage, they were in now way related. Both the Porter boys were born, reared and educated in Johnson county, splendid types of fine, alert, intelligent Missourians, young citizens of whom all are proud. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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