Jackson-Calhoun County MI Archives Biographies.....Porter, John Harrison February 1847 - April 22, 1925
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Cathy Fields catrayfields@aol.com December 17, 2006, 3:33 pm

Author: THE JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT,Jackson, Michigan Sunday February 1, 1925

John Harrison "Daddy" Porter of Jackson Served On Locomotive for 50 Years 
Without A Mark Against His Record; Piloted Many Specials

Fifty years continuous service as a railroad engineer and fireman without a 
single day of suspension-- that is the record of J.H. Porter, 107 East Morrell 
Street, who now after nearly seven years of retirement is still know as "Daddy" 
by nearly all Michigan Central enginemen living in Jackson.
"Daddy" Porter went to work for the Michigan Central railroad as a fireman in 
1867, and retired as an engineer, May 1, 1917, after fifty years, two months 
and 11 day of continuous service. Although his engine drew the fastest 
passenger trains of the line from Jackson to Michigan City, day after day, 
there was never a passenger injured on a train he piloted.
TOOK PROVISIONS TO FIRE VICTIMS
Just four years after he had entered the employ of the company, the veteran had 
the honor of being one of the pilots on the first Michigan Central train to 
enter Chicago after the great fire of 1871. He was at the throttle in one of 
the two engines which pulled 17 cars of provisions into the devastated city the 
second day after it had been swept by flames.
When "Daddy" Porter began to run, the shops were located at Marshall,and 
Jackson was only a way station. Woodburner locomotives, about one-sixth the 
size of the modern giant engines were used and all kinds of hard woods were 
available for fuel. In 1869, the Niles-Jackson air line was completed 
and "Daddy" Jackson already an engineer was given a new run from Michigan City 
to Jackson over the Air Line. The shops were moved to Jackson in 1869 and the 
railroad men moved with the shops.
In "Daddy's" 48 years as a Michigan Central Engineer, he saw far-reaching 
changes take place on the road. When he began as a fireman, the road was single 
tracked and the coaches were of a very light wooden type. When he retired, the 
main line was double tracked, and the coaches were built of steel, the best 
that money could buy. He contributed his full share to the mechanical progress 
of he railroad, taking out three patents for inventions. He first patent was 
for a cylinder cock device taken out in 1884, and his other two for a vale and 
cylinder oiling device and a coupler for an air brake hose.
IN ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS
He was in only two accidents during his entire railroad career. Once, the 
Boston Special was de-railed west of Battle Creek, and the engine laid on it's 
dome 13 feet below the track. But Mr. Porter and his firemen crawled out 
unhurt. An express train on which he was firing was derailed by an open switch 
at Dexter, in his early railroading days.
Many official specials have speeded between Jackson and Michigan City under his 
careful guidance. The Vanderbilts and English nobleman have ridden behind his 
engines - for "Daddy" was always known to be one of the safest engineers on the 
system.
Nearly all the engineers now runing on the main line of the Michigan Central 
out of Jackson have, at some time, "fired" under Mr. Porter. He saw many 
division superintendents and master mechanics come and go. Superintendents 
under whom he served included James Hopper, L.C. Hurd, E.C. Brown, C.B. Bush,  
O.F. Jordan, McDonald, M.T. Wright, O'Keefe, and D>J> Farr. Master mechanics 
were Amos Wilson, Hart A.P. Farr, A.S. Sweet, Strong, S.H. Edgerton, C.E. 
Smart, T.J. Hennessy, D.R. McBaine, M. Sherewood, G.E. Parks, and F.P. Neesley
IS GOOD MARKSMAN
The veteran railroad man is still well acquainted with nearly all the officials 
of the Michigan Central Railroad, and is held in high regard by them. Each year 
he attends the the big outing of the Michigan Cental Pioneer's Association held 
at Tashmoo Park where he is one of the  oldest "old timers" in attendance.
But "Daddy" Porter was not always a railroad man. His birthplace was near 
Peterborough, Ontario., and at a youthful age he enlisted in the Canadian army. 
As a soldier for 18 months, he continually practiced marksmanship until he 
became an expert markman. Even now, at his advanced age, he is probably one of 
the surest "shots" in the city.
_________________________

Additional Comments:
Married Anna E. Nevins Nov 14, 1871,Calhoun Co., Marshall, Michigan

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