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Mary A. Porter family papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 6198

Scope and Contents

Collection contains minutes, notes, histories, genealogy, yearbooks, and other material related to the Porter and Ashby families. Includes documentation from Mary Ashby Porter's service in the Relief Society, as well as family papers. Materials date from between 1925 and 2005.

Dates

  • 1925-2002
  • 2005

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Mary A. Porter family papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical / Historical

Mary A. Porter (1910-2005) was a Mormon woman in Utah and Delaware.

Mary Ena Ashby Porter was born on July 30, 1910 to Robert L. and Hannah Cropper Ashby in American Fork, Utah. She graduated with a teaching degree from Brigham Young University in 1932, and then began teaching in Salina, Elsinore, and American Fork. Two years later, in 1934, she married E. Wesley Porter in Brooklyn, New York. They were later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. In 1937 the Porters moved to Syracuse, New York, where they had their only child, Lee Ashby Porter. They later moved to Wilmington, Delaware, which would become their home for thirty-six years. Mary was a ward Relief Society president, counselor in the district Relief Society presidency, and first Relief Society president when the new Philadelphia Stake was created. In addition to her church callings, Mary loved to garden and grew over 150 African violets for which she won prizes for at the State Flower Show. In 1978 the Porters moved to Provo, Utah. They were supporters of Brigham Young University and even created a scholarship fund for students in the Marriott School of Management. Porter passed away in Provo, Utah on April 24, 2005.

Biographical / Historical

The Porters were a Mormon family in Delaware and Utah. E. Wesley Porter (1909-1991) was an accountant for DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. His wife, Mary Ashby Porter (1910-2005), was a teacher and women's organization leader. The Porters were both graduates of Brigham Young University, and were supportive of the university. They had one child, Lee Ashby Porter.

Biographical / Historical

E. Wesley Porter (1909-1991) was a Mormon accountant in Delaware and Utah.

Ezra Wesley Porter was born on March 18, 1909 in Porterville, Utah to Adria Rich and Hyrum Kilbourn Porter. He graduated from Morgan High School, and then attended Brigham Young University. While a student he played on the varsity tennis team and in the orchestra. He graduated with a degree in business management in 1930. He then moved to New York, where he worked at an accounting firm while attending New York University. He married Mary Ashby on June 23, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York.

Porter worked in accounting in Syracuse, New York before taking a job with the DuPont Company. During his career he also served on the research committee of the national accounting standards board. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he also served in the Eastern States Mission Sunday School presidency. After his retirement he moved to Utah in 1978. There he continued his service in the Church, and maintained an active life. He died on October 21, 1991 in Provo, Utah.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged in two series: 1. Mary A. Porter papers on Relief Society, circa 1922-1971, 2005. 2. Porter family papers, 1925-2002.

Other Finding Aids

Inventory available in repository.

Custodial History

Donated by Lee and Susan Porter, son and daughter-in-law of Mary Ashby Porter and Ezra Wesley Porter, in 2006.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Lee and Susan Porter; 2006.

Appraisal

Utah and American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).

Processing Information

Processed; Melissa Cowles; 2008.

Title
Register of Mary A. Porter family papers
Status
Completed
Author
Melissa Cowles
Date
March 2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States