Joseph Porter RALSTON

January 31, 1847 - May 30, 1926

Uniontown Cicerone, June 10, 1926
Joseph Porter Ralston, son of David and Pollyann Ralston, was born near Greenfield, Mo., January 21, 1847, where the family resided until they moved to Bourbon County, near Uniontown, in 1855, his father being one of the first four settlers on the Marmaton west of Fort Scott. Bro. Ralston has from that time until his death, Sunday morning, May 30, 1926, been a resident of Bourbon county. He has been identified with its growth, interest and progress. He professed religion early in life, at the age of 18 years, and was a charter member of Mount Olive Cumberland Presbyterian church now Petersburg church, organized by Rev. Guy Hinton in the early sixties. Ht his father's residence on the Marmaton, he was ordained an elder of that organization when only 18 years of age, and had every since filled that office with great honor and faithfulness, getting a great help and support to it, as well as being a comfort and a source of usefulness to him.
Joseph Porter Ralston and Miss Lucy J. Ward were united i marriage on April 21, 1876, by Rev. Allenbaugh. To this union there were born eight children, six daughters and two sons. Bro. Ralston built a home near his father's place, where he resided until his coming to Redfield, where he has since resided. His companion departed this life here at Redfield, June 9, 1917. She was a sincere, devoted earnest Christian companion. This was a severe stroke of sorrow which Bro. Ralston felt severely, but realizing that she had gone to a better, happier, enduring home he bowed submissively to his Heavenly Father's Will.
Archie A., their son, passed to his home beyond, here at Redfield, July 26, 1900.
The other children who remain to mourn their great loss are:
David Finis Ralston, Johnstown, Colorado.
Mrs. Rhoda Shubert, Redfield, Kas.
Mrs. Ada Bryant, Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Mrs. Cora Kough, Neodesha, Kans.
Mrs. Nora Quick, Redfield, Kans.
Mrs Lula Green, Bronson, Kans.
There are eighteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
The following brothers and sisters remain and feel deeply their great loss: Mrs Mary Mason, Uniontown, Kans., Mrs. Margaret Nichols, Bronson, Kansas; Mr. Grant Ralston, Uniontown, Kansas, Mr. Elmer Ralston, Centralia, Wash.; Mrs. May Drake Uniontown, Kansas.
The secret of Bro. Ralston's great influence as a husband, father, brother, citizen, friend and neighbor, was that he went early in life and drank earnestly, freely and often at the great fountain of God's grace. He stole away when he was alone and bowed in secret prayer, and communed daily with God. He related this in his recent illness. In the passing of Bro. Ralston Bourbon county and Redfield loses one of her best citizens, a kind friend, a royal, true neighbor, and one of her most devoted and useful Christian workers.
He was a devoted, true and faithful husband, always anxious that is home and loved ones were happy. He will ever be remembered by sisters and brothers as a loving faithful brother. His children will ever cherish his memory as a kind, upright, true, sympathizing, devoted father.
He has gone from us but is not forgotten.
--written by M. F. S. Henron.

Photo Courtesy of
Robin Hixon

Contributed on 3/18/14 by evychristensen
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Record #: 29536

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