Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 38, 1885

This gifted and accomplished lady was born in the city of Tuscaloosa, the Athens of Alabama,* which has given birth to many distinguished men and women. She was the daughter of Judge

Benjamin F. Porter, and inherited the literarytastes and talents of her distinguished father. She was taught her letters by Mrs. Dr. John Little, Sr., whose admirable training did so much to fashion and develop the boys and girls of the classic city.

From Tuscaloosa, Judge Porter removed to Cave Springs, Georgia, where the education of his gifted child was continued in the schools of that place, though, on account of her delicate constitution, her father was compelled to check the enthusiastic fervor with which his child pored over the printed page. Her education was afterward continued at schools in DeKalb and Marshall Counties, and finished in Greenville, Butler County, under the skillful tuition of Mrs. E. V. Battey, an accomplished and experienced teacher.

From early childhood, Miss Porter exhibited great fondness for poetry, and soon learned to express her thoughts in verses highly creditable to her youthful years, verses marked by force and finish. Some of the first of her graceful productions were published in the Marshall County News and in the Wills Valley Post, and were much admired and praised by many who saw rich promise of future fame for the young writer.

Before the war, the modesty of the young poetess kept her from seeking place in the magazines of the day for her happy and well-rounded verses. Soon after the war, however, her pen became more active, and sought a wider field. General David

H. Hill and the Hon. John Forsyth, of Mobile, were two of her warm and admiring literary friends and advisers. The former sought her poems, stories, and sketches for the pages of The Land We Love, and the latter for the columns of the Mobile Register. Other periodicals and papers were glad to present her poetry and other literary work to their readers.

In 1858, Judge Porter, with his family, including his gifted daughter, moved to Greenville, where her life has since been spent, and where she has continued her devotion to letters and her literary work.

In 1867, Miss Porter was married to Captain George L. Henry, son of Judge John K. Henry ; but eight years ago she was left a widow with one child. Since this time, Mrs. Henry has been busy with her pen, and, what so few Southern writers have done, has earned a support with its productions.

On the 1st of August, 1883, Mrs. Henry became connected with the Greenville Advocate as associate editor, and has done admirable work in the columns of this most excellent and prosperous paper, whose many readers always greet with pleasure the effusions of her pen.

Mrs. Henry is possessed of rare intellectual powers, and wields a vigorous pen, but whatever she writes is marked by the modesty and refinement of true womanhood. While fully appreciating the loveliness and dignity of her sex, she exhibits no sympathy with the so-called strongminded women of the day, and with the mascuHne acts and utterances which come from them. Gentleness and grace, in an eminent degree, mark whatever she writes and does, and she is one in whom our county and State may feel a just pride.

Her longest and perhaps her most finished poem, is entitled Southrea. Many of her poems, enough, in fact, to fill several handsome volumes, are as yet in manuscript; but we trust they will soon be published, for they would, no doubt, add in no small degree to the reputation of their cultured authoress, and to the growing literature of our State.

In Dixie gayest roses bloom, The jasmine yields its rare perfume ; And here the sea-breeze haunts the South With orange-blossoms in his mouth -

In Dixie land we love to give With generous hand - we love to live With cheerful light and open door; What matter if the wind doth roar? The heart is warm in Dixie !

The Dixie skies are bonnie blue, And Southern hearts are warm and true ; Let there be love throughout the world, The pure white flag of Peace unfurled,

In other lands 'tis sweet to roam. But Dixie land is Home, Sweet Home, And Southern maid, with simple song. Loves dear old Dixie, right or wrong - God bless the land of Dixie 1