Porter Nye, one of the earliest pioneers of Bemidji, died at his home, corner Eighth street and Beltrami avenue on Nov 8, 1905. Porter Nye was born in Thompson, Ohio in 1837. He was married to his wife Sabra at Cleveland, Ohio in 1854. They lived in Ohio for some time, after which they removed to Wisconsin and later to Iowa in which state they made their home for a number of years. They came to Minnesota in 1878 and settled near Fergus Falls in Ottertail county, where they remained until 1893 when they removed to Bemidji. Porter and his son Willis were among the first settlers which included Civil War veterans Freeman Doud and Thomas Joy.
In the spring of 1894, Porter and Sabra took up a homestead and built a home on the south side of Bemidji where the Crookston Lumber Mill was located and in the village of Nymore. They lived there for a number of years, afterwards removing to their residence at Eighth street and Beltrami Avenue. From this union, three children were born, two girls and one son, Fritz Willis Nye.
Fritz Willis Nye was born in Iowa, April 20, 1862 and in 1894 he homesteaded near the brickyards south of Bemidji and served in the capacity of clerk in the Minnesota and International roundhouse until 1928. He and Mary Elizabeth Walden were married in 1883. They had five children including Inez (Jan 1885), Henry (Jan 1887), George (Mar 1889), and Willis Irving (Aug 1895).
Nymore Couple Fritz Willis Nye and Mrs. Mary Bordwell were united in marriage in the Congregational church on March 30, 1911. The ceremony was conducted by Elder T. J. Martin. Willis Nye died in 1940 at Bemidji.
Mrs. Sabra Nye was married to Thomas J. Martin in 1907. She died on June 30, 1913. The Nye family is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.