Listed as Frank in 1880 census as a college student, living in Springfield OH with his wife and daughter Bessie (2).
Francis became a Lutheran minister in Louisville, KY
“Dean of Ministers Resigns to Retire Effective July 28 [1929] - has served St. Mark's Lutheran Church Nokomis for 14 years.
Dr. F. M. Porch, for nearly half a century a minister and for fourteen years pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran church in Nokomis, dean of clergy in this section and one of the community's best known and dearly beloved old gentlemen will retire from active ministry Sunday July 28. Dr. Porch announced his resignation Sunday morning from his pulpit. His health has not been of the best for a number of months, and in view of the constantly increasing amount of labor in connection with the administration of the affairs of a growing church,
Dr. Porch has concluded that he will retire unto a well-earned rest. Forty-eight years has the esteemed minister spent in the service of the church. Highly intellectual, a deep thinker, a profound student, a brilliant orator and a steadfast Christian during....served a number of .... principally in Van Wert, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Topeka, Kansas, Abilene, Kansas, and Louisville, Kentucky. May 1, 1915, Dr. Porch was called to Nokamis and during his leadership St. Mark's Lutheran church has quadrupled its size. He has.. without peer, in the history of the church and it is with a deep sincere regret that his people see him retire. Far outside of the church circles too have the friendly personalities of Dr. and Mrs. Porch become endeared. They have not definitely decided upon where they will make their home but probably will stay in Nokomis. Dr. Porch was born on a farm near Fredericktown, Knox County, Ohio. He worked on the farm went to grammar school and spent 2 yr in a blacksmith shop. As a tender lad, he left home for Springfield, OH where he enrolled in Wittenberg College, then a young although prominent institution. Without having reached any very definite decision he rather studied with the view of entering the medical profession. His interest however in the literary subjects and in forensics through which he achieved no little local fame as a debater and orator developed and after college days he taught school for several years. He returned to Wittenberg and entered upon the study of theology after deciding to preach. A few years later he was awarded the degree of Doctor
of Divinity. His first charge was at Tarleton in 1881. .. 1876 Dr. Porch was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Hatcher of Springfield, Ohio the ceremony taking place in that city. They have three daughters namely, Mrs. L. C. Douglas, Montreal Canada, Mrs. W. F. McLallan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Mrs. D. C. Caldwell, Topeka, KS. There are 5 grandchildren.”
He and Amamda signed their joint will May 5, 1936 in Topeka, KS, and he apparently died later that year.