for more information contact
Sheridan Brandon Drowatzky ).

Merritt C. (Bud) Cromwell was born March 3, 1874, at Columbiana, Alabama, and died May 4, 1943, at Ryan.

He came to this country when a young man and lived first at Ringgold, Texas. He later moved to Terral which has been his home for the past 40 years.

He was married to Miss Della Berry of Bowie, Texas, November 14, 1906. They were the parents of three children, two of whom passed away in infancy.

Mr. Cromwell professed faith in Christ as his personal Savior when a young man and united with the Presbyterian church. He put his membership into the Terral Baptist church in 1934 and has been a member here until his death.

He is survived by Mrs. Cromwell and one son, Bennie, who is now in military service; three brothers and one sister, beside other relatives and a host of friends.

His blessed memory will live with us in many ways.

Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church in Terral Saturday afternoon by Rev. G. E. Elrod of Roscoe, Texas, a former pastor here, assisted by Rev. Burleson and Rev. Olney White, local pastors. Interment was in the Terral cemetery.

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Card of Thanks

We take this method to thank our friends who were so nice to us during the illness and death of our husband and father, also for the beautiful floral officer.

Mrs. M. C. Cromwell; Bennie Cromwell

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JOHN H. PORTER

When the Book of Life closed for J. H. Porter, Hastings lost one of her most valuable and highly esteemed citizens, a man who was a true Christian, an ardent churchman; whose word was a good as his bond, who was devoted to his family and home and a dependable friend.

John Harvey Porter, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Porter, was born at Riceville, McMahan County, Tennessee, February 28, 1862, and died in the Waurika hospital after a week’s illness the morning of May 10, at the ripe, old age of 81 years.

Responsibility rested on his shoulders at an early age. When he was 17 his father went to Wellington, Kansas, bought a large tract of land, and returning home, died in a short time. His 17-year-old son took his father’s place and brought the younger children to Wellington where they grew up, largely under his direction.

In 1889 he decided to try his hand in a new venture and moved to Enid where he went into the hardware business and later became inspector for a Land Loan company there.

In 1901 Mr. Porter moved to Lawton and became associated with the Citizens National bank. Here he met Miss Lillie Barr and they were married August 24, 1904. Shortly preceding their marriage he had come to Hastings and proved up on his homestead three miles southwest of town. Here he brought his bride to a shining new home which, through the years, was the scene of many happy gatherings, and here they lived until December 6, 1941, when ill health caused them to give up farming and move to Hastings. Here he enjoyed meeting his friends in his home and on the streets.

In the spring of 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Porter took into their home and hearts a three-month old foster son, Alzie McCauley, to whom they were true parents. When he grew to manhood and was married his wife was received as a daughter and their sons, Jack and Jimmie, were loved as only grandchildren are. The McCauleys now live at Palacious, Texas.

Mr. Porter’s parents were devout Presbyterians and their children were educated in Presbyterian schools. His only brother, James, and a sister, Francina, gave their lives to Japan as missionaries.

Mr. Porter gave lots for the building of the Presbyterian church in Lawton and in recognition of his faithful stewardship was made a lifetime elder in that church. So long as the Presbyterian church in Hastings was in existence, he held the same office in that organization. He was a delegate to the General Presbyterian Assembly in Denver and a regular attendant at the State and District Synods.

After the Presbyterian church in Hastings was discontinued he became a member of the Methodist church and was faithful there. He was an outstanding Sunday school teacher. The influence of his teaching will forever live in the hearts and lives of his pupils. Surely the angels sang a grand "Amen" when he entered the Gates Eternal.

His life is indelibly a part of Hastings history. He helped establish the first bank here and maintained his stock in it until its liquidation. He had a big part in all the early day civic enterprises.

Surviving him are Mrs. Porter and their children and grandchildren: Mr. and Mrs. Alzie McCauley and sons, Jack and Jimmie; three sisters; Mrs. V. H. Podstata, Mrs. E. G. Jones and Mrs. H. H. Carter, all of whom live in California; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends who will miss his cheery words and kindly acts.

Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church in Hastings Tuesday afternoon, May 11, at 2:30 o’clock, with Rev. R. W. Bounds in charge, assisted by Rev. G. H. Crittendon, pastor of the Baptist church.

A quartet composed of Misses Nina Ruth Freeman, Davene Carden, Mary Lou Hooper and Mrs. A. K. Thompson, Jr., sang "There Come Another Morrow"; Mrs. Ernest Jeffrey sang, "When They Ring Those Golden Bells’ and Miss Freeman, "Crossing the Bar."

Interment was in the Hastings cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our friends and neighbors for their kindness to us during the illness and death of our dear husband, father and grandfather, also for the beautiful floral offering.

Mrs. J. H. Porter; Mr. and Mrs. Alzie McCauley, Jack and Jimmie