Henry Dave Porter
Mr. Henry Dave Porter came to Marceline in 1890 and began work as a contractor and carpenter. He built the Carnegie Library on California Street and the I.O.O.F. building on Kansas Avenue. He also built school buildings in adjoining towns and one in New Cambria, Missouri. Mr. Porter and family lived at 624 North Missouri Avenue. His children were sons, George, David, Harold, Theodore, and Clarence, and a daughter, Edith.
William Montgomery
William Montgomery came to Marceline in February 1888, and bought several lots from the Santa Fe Land Company and started building a home at the northwest corner of the 100 Block of West Walker Street. Many of the early residences in the community were built by Mr. Montgomery. He also developed an area known as the Boswell and Montgomery addition to the City of Marceline. Mrs. Montgomery arrived during the month of March from Cameron, Missouri, where she had been staying since their marriage. She helped organize the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built in the 100 block of West Lake Street on the north side. The parsonage was across the street. Mr. Monty, or “Monty,” as he was called by close friends, was as strong a Presbyterian as his wife was a Methodist. He became a charter member of the church which was located on Kansas Avenue across from the company store. He was a member of the school board when the first two-story brick public school was built. The members of the board traveled all over Missouri getting ideas for the most modern school. Central School was the result. He served at various times as alderman and, at his death in 1920, was president of the township board. In the winters, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were active in supporting Lyceum Courses, which both entertained and enlightened audiences. The center of entertainment was the Cater Opera House. In the summer they were members of a group of sponsors who brought the Chautauqua which was held in a large tent in the park (where the Park School was built). Such men as Admiral Hobson, William Jennings Bryan, Admiral Cook, Bob Burdette, humorist, Senator Robert LaFollette, etc., shared their experiences with the townspeople. Many fine musicians appeared also. Helen Montgomery Spradling, a daughter, lives at Carthage, Missouri, now.
John Wilson Porter
John Wilson Porter came to Marceline from Bynumville and was among the first settlers. He was an active home builder and contractor and some of his work were the buildings where Simpson & Miller Dry Goods Store, Reece’s Confectionery, and Otto Zurcher Millinery Shop were on Kansas Avenue. There are two houses on West Howell Avenue, three on West Gracia Avenue, two on West Lake Street, and many others which he built that are still lived in today. Mr. Porter had the following men helping him in the building trade: James Womack, E. E. Fitch, S. N. Brown, W. E. Buruss, Floyd Newman, and Charles Henning. Mr. Porter and his wife Rose had two sons – Harvey and Frank, and two daughters, Ethel and Iva.
J. T. Wallar
Early in the year 1894, J. T. Wallar came to Marceline and purchased the Burch Grocery Store located at the southwest corner of Kansas Avenue and Howell Streets. Mr. Wallar soon brought his family here, consisting of Mrs. Wallar, two sons, Stephen and Samuel, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Florence. The two sons became partners in the business and in a short time, Johnny Ficklin, a loyal and wholesome young man, came into the store as clerk and solicitor and remained with the company until the store was sold in the late twenties. In the fall of 1894 a disastrous fire which started in the photograph studio on the second floor, destroyed the building and contents. Dr. Cater, who owned the building, began rebuilding at once and in due time the Wallars were in business again. All was well until 1900 when a fire in the drug store of Allen & Blincoe next door, south of Wallar’s, burned and the whole building went again. After this disaster, the Wallars bought the dry goods store of one L. J. Hall, added groceries, and were in business again. In a short time it was evident they must move as the owner of the building asked for possession. At this time the Wallar Company bought the building now occupied by Mattinglys and conducted a prosperous business there many years. The Wallars originally came from Ohio, arriving in southwest Missouri in 1875. From there they came to Linn County and established their home on the corner of Ritchie Avenue and Chestnut Street. In 1907 the old house was removed to make way for a new and more modern residence. The two survivors of the family, Mrs. Luther Hardaway and Mrs. Claud Buchanan, reside in this home.