Ralph E. Porter
Ralph E. Porter, proprietor of a first class grocery store at Mingo Junction, O., with commodious quarters in the Adkins Block on Commercial Street, has lived here ever since he was ten years old, but was bora at Toronto, O., May 15, 1882, and is a son of John H. and Ella (Plumber) Porter. The parents of Mr. Porter reside at Cleveland, O. They moved to East Liverpool, O., from Toronto, in 1884, and in 1892 to Cleveland. Ralph E. is the only survivor of their three children. Raymond, the eldest, died when aged twelve years, and Bessie, the second born, died at the age of three years.
Ralph E. Porter was ten years old when he came to Mingo Junction to make his home with his uncle, Dr. W. J. O'Conuell, a well known medical man of this section, who died in 1902 when aged sixty years. Mr. Porter attended school regularly until he was seventeen years of age, when he began work in a grocery store for J. C. Hanna, with whom he remained for three years and then became clerk at the Bar Mill, where he continued for five years. In 1907 he bought out his former emplover, J. C. Hanna, and in June, 1909, took possession of his present quarters opposite the postoffice. He carries a large stock of both staple and fancy groceries and aims to please every taste and suit every purse.
In October, 1905, Mr. Porter was married to Miss Oca Adkins, who is a daughter of Stephen Adkins, one of the leading and substantial citizens of Mingo, auil they have one daughter, Ella Deborah. Mr. Porter was reared by his late uncle to believe in the principles of the old Democratic party. Dr. O'Connell was not only a leader in politics at Mingo Junction but in all its public affairs, serving four terms as mayor of the place and two terms as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mingo Junction and they are also factors in the pleasant social life of the place.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910