Dad’s Notes - - transcribed from yellow note pad sheets
Born 2/11/15 at home on Mary St. in Eustis, to Louise & Burdette G. Porter. Dad came to Eustis in 1909 from NY. My father known as “BG” came south with Lee Laidlow and purchased the Miller Studio. After the first winter Laidlow returned to NY making the business Porter Studio.
Mother died after a long illness in 1926, father remarried.
I attended the Eustis Public Schools with the exception of a few months in NY in 1925. Graduated EHS in 1933. This was the period of the Great Depression and I did not go to college, but worked at Porter’s from an early age.
In January 1934 I met Gladys Blain who came south from Cleveland on graduating from High School. She was visiting an aunt and uncle here in Eustis for the winter. That summer I went to Cleveland for about 3 weeks and was able to attend the Republican National Convention. Gladys came south in 1935 and 1936. The summer of 1936 I went back to Cleveland and got a summer job at a large photo finishing company. Gladys and I were engaged that summer and Gladys came south again for the winter. In 1937 I went back to Cleveland to my summer job. We were married that Summer.
September of 1937 we came south. My dad gave me the keys to the store and went to NY for a much needed vacation.
In 1938 we went back to Cleveland for my summer job.
In 1939 we built a home on Lake Gracie. Our first son Donald Earl was born 2/5/39 at Lake Medical Center. We went back to Cleveland for the last summer working there. During the winter of 1939 Gladys’ father died, we went back to Cleveland to help. I was made Treasurer of Blain Dairies. After 2 years the dairy was sold and we came back home.
On December 10, 1941 son David William was born at Lake Medical Center.
Early World War II was on Eustis Volunteer Fire Dept. and served in the Civil Air Patrol as 1st Lt. as observer and Photo Officer. Then we went back to Cleveland and worked for GM as Major Assembler on B29 bomber construction for the balance of the war.
My father died 11/13/43 during the period at his friend’s home in NY after a long illness.
During my period of absence the shop photo work was farmed out, and the store was operated by non-family members with my supervision. In the fall of 1944 I purchased the store building and dad’s will gave the business to me. Many changes have been made from the old frame building that Porter’s first occupied.
As of 1/1/1981 David purchased the store.
Interests along with Porter’s Photography and afterward - -
-Member 1st Presbyterian Church (oldest living member)
and served as Deacon and Elder
-BPOE Elks
served as Treasurer and Trustee
-Board of Directors United Greenhouse Co., Cleveland
-City of Eustis
2 years City Council, 1st Mayor Commissioner,
total of 6 years
-Recreation, boating: mid-50’s to mid-60’s
-Recreation, RV travel: mid-60’s to 2010
-Recreation, World travel: 4 trips to Europe
(continued on next post)
