Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Porter, Hon Edwin ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 12:48 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 Hon. Edwin Porter, the extent and importance of whose service in the public life and business interests of Joliet are such as to render him a foremost citizen, was born in Granger, Medina county, Ohio, April 19, 1828. He has therefore passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey, but though the snows of many winters have whitened his hair in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime. Old age does not necessarily suggest idleness or lack of occupation. On the contrary there is an old age which grows better and stronger as the years go by and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the life history of Edwin Porter, who is still active in the control of important business concerns of Joliet and who for a longer period than any other incumbent filled the office of mayor of the city in the sixth and eighth decades of the nineteenth century. He was one of the' three children of Harvey and Harriet (Hulbert) Porter, natives of New York. His paternal grandfather was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, who served for seven years in defense of the cause of liberty, while Harvey Porter was equally valorous as a soldier in the war of 1812. Having acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, Edwin Porter continued his education in the Brooklyn Academy of New York. For a time he was connected with the coal business in Cleveland, Ohio, and the year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Joliet—then a young man of twenty-eight years. He established a malting and brewing business on the Desplaines river and by careful management and keen discernment he developed the new enterprise until it became the best brewery in the city and one of the most extensive in the state, having a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day, ninety-five per cent of the output being beer. Mr. Porter is president of the company, with Joseph Braun, Jr., as secretary and treasurer. In 1889 the brewery was remodeled and is a first class plant in every particular. The plant covers two blocks and is provided with all modern improvements. Water is furnished from two artesian wells and is declared by chemists to be especially adapted for the brewing of beer, the wells being in bed rock where no surface water can reach them. On the incorporation of the firm in 1893 the name of the E. Porter Brewing Company was assumed. Mr. Porter is a man of resourceful business ability who has not confined his efforts alone to one line of industry, but has extended his labors into other fields of activity. For many years he was engaged in the quarrying and stone business, which he recently disposed of to Adam Groth & Company, of Joliet. In 1895 Mr. Porter bought the Gold King mine on Gold Hill in the Cripple Creek district in Colorado and has since been sole proprietor, taking an active interest in its development. These varied interests return to him a large annual income and thus from a humble financial position he has risen to one of affluence. Mr. Porter was married in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Almena A. Curtis, who was born in that city. They lost two sons, Charles and Joseph C., their surviving son being Harry Porter, who, as stated, is manager of the stone business. Mr. Porter belongs to the Business Mens Association of Joliet, in which connection he has done effective service, looking toward the betterment of trade relations and business opportunities in Joliet. He is an exemplary Mason, belonging to Matteson lodge, and his political allegiance is given the democracy. Long prominent in the ranks of the party in this city, he has seven times been elected its chief executive. He was chosen in 1864, again in 1860 and in 1871. Under the new city charter he was twice elected for two years each in 1879 and 1881, and in 1883 he was elected for a four years' term, so that his incumbency in the office has covered a longer period than that of any other mayor. He gave a public-spirited administration characterized by a recognition of the needs and possibilities of the city, by local progress and by substantial improvement along various lines. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "In personal characteristics he is conservative, unassuming and reserved; deliberate in forming his judgment, but not easily changed when once a course of action is decided upon: devoted to his business and finding his keenest enjoyment in the management of large financial enterprises; yet withal, to those who know him well, a genial companion and warm friend." Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/porter2743nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb