Greenville Advocate

Greenville, Alabama, Wednesday, May 22, 1895

WILLIAM PORTER SHINE

William Porter Shine was born near Greenville in Butler County, Ala, August 22, 1825, and died at Oaky Streak Butler County, Ala, May 2, 1895.  On August 32 (sic) 1844, he was married to Miss Martha Hammonds of this county.  For more than fifty years these twain were one flesh, celebrating their Golden Wedding August 22, 1894.

Within the limits of his acquaintance no man was more favorably known, perhaps, than Porter Shine.  He was preeminently a useful man.  His long life was rich in deeds of real charity.  "Charity suffereth long and is kind."  This were (sic) a fitting epitaph for his tomb.  He was one of the kindest men I ever knew.  He was an absolute stranger to deception.  Its arts was (sic) unknown to him.  His life was an open book, and the world was welcome to read every page.  True, alas! they were not all bright pages for upon some of them deep sorrow was written but there was nothing hidden.  He was remarkably energetic.  Except during the last few years of his life he enjoyed good health and was strong and active.  After four years of service in the army he came home without a dollar, and began anew the work of providing for wife and children.  He accomplished prodigious tasks in felling timber and opening up acres to cultivation, and in response to the telling force of his energy the erstwhile forests literally blossomed as the rose.  Summoned by the evidence and aggregations of his labor, he dispensed a lavish hospitality, and sunshine and happiness were the abode of his dwelling. In after years came sorrow and adversity; the hand of disease was laid upon him, and he was forced to lay aside the implements of his industry.  From out the afflictive dispensation of a providential hand he came as from a refiner's fire, and in the early dawn of May 2 1895, his chastened spirit shook off the clay and mounted to the realms of celestial light.

For many years he was an acceptable member of Dawson Lodge F and A M, and the members of this honorable fraternity from his own and surrounding Lodges, attended his funeral and buried him with appropriate ceremonies.

A large concourse of relatives and friends were present at Oaky Streak church, on May 3, where, under the shadow of beautiful oaks, we laid him to rest.  His aged wife and seven children survive him.  To the God of the fatherless and the widow we commend them.