An interesting connection

President Porter, the stake president that performed Bonnie & Travis' wedding, is a distant relative. I met him the first time at Bonnie's brother Matt's wedding. Pres. Porter was their bishop at the time. He has been stake president for 5 and a half years, so Matt's wedding was about 6 years ago.

Gloria, my sister-in-law who is also Bonnie & Matt's mom, introduced us. Of course, the name Porter is fairly common, but ... you never know, there might be a connection. Gigi, who is also Gloria, said we were from Idaho. President Porter said his family comes from Southern Utah. OK, I remember going to Escalante when my folks took my Grandpa (Fred) Porter to meet some relatives. Grandpa's grandpa was Jared Porter & he settled in Escalante. So, I asked where in Southern Utah. He said Escalante. So, I got excited about that. I asked who his grandfather was. He said Jared Riley Porter. Jared Riley is Jared's son from his 2nd wife, I think it was his 2nd wife. The one that died in Wyoming crossing the plains.

Our grandmother is Harriet Preece Porter. She divorced Jared & moved "home" to Cache Valley, bringing the younger kids with her. She lived with her brother Mark Preece. Harriet named a son Mark. Her brother Mark named a daughter Harriet & called her Hattie. Our grandmother married a man named Joseph Perkins. Mapleton was originally named St. Joseph for him. Harriet Preece Porter Perkins is buried alone in the Porter section of the Franklin Cemetery.

Small world, huh?