Mary Stillman Porter

Mary Stillman Porter was born in 1858 in Millcreek.

Mary and her parents

She studied obstetrics under Ellis R Shipp. She served the sick not only here but all over the valley. It is said that “the touch of her hands brought healing. She spent countless nights traveling the dirt roads to help heal and comfort those in need.

When she was 20 she married Moses Porter. They moved to land that Moses had homesteaded.  They lived at approximately 3100 South and 3200 West, near the old Porter Lake.

Their home began with just one room. Quickly Moses added room after room and suddenly they had a beautiful home.

Mary was always a hard worker, she never wasted time. She used beef grease to make her candles and wood ash to make lye for her soaps.

Her apple & squash butter was always wonderful. here bread and butter divine. She enjoyed sewing. She made countless burial outfits for the people of Granger.

She had the first Flower Garden in Granger.

Their land often dried up and farming was hard. But Mary and Moses worked very hard to do all they could to make their land productive. They lived in Granger from 1878-1914

They didn't have children of their own and so they adopted 2 children. Irene Porter Brinton and Roy Stillman Porter.

Mary's son died

She served as the Granger Ward Relief Society President for 32 years.

She spent countless hours caring for the sick and needy in the area.

Her service to this area can’t be measured. She made a huge difference in the lives of this community. She was loved by all

She believed in the principle of "Keeping Busy"

Mary spoke at many funerals and dressed and made clothing for many area residents at their death. She spent countless hours preparing the bodies for burial and used ice in glass bottles to keep the bodies fresh before viewings.

The Porter family moved out of Granger 1914 when Mary was 71 years old.

She served this area more than any other woman did. She healed the sick, comforted the weary, cared for the aging, fed and clothed the needy and looked after everyone in this area. Mary was special.

Thank you to Donna Simper Bawden for her help with Mary's history.