Edward F. Porter born November 26, 1858, in Maine was educated at Yale College and graduated with a degree in Arts and Law in 1882. He came to the Melville area in 1883 to farm. In 1890 Mr. Porter was elected county treasurer in 1886 and in 1894, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, where he served on the Committee of Supplies and Expenditures.

Mr. Porter died in October 1896.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 86B