BIO: Gen. Horace PORTER, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 31 __________________________________________________________ GENERAL HORACE PORTER, appointed ambassador to France by President McKinley, March 16, 1897, was born in Huntingdon, Pa., April 15, 1837. His father, David R. Porter, was then State Senator, and afterwards served two terms as governor of Pennsylvania, being elected first in 1839. Horace Porter was educated first at the Harrisburg Academy, afterwards at Harvard University, entering the scientific department in 1854, with a view to a military career. In July, 1855, he became a cadet at West Point, and graduated July 1, 1860. His first active military service was performed as first lieutenant in the expedition against Port Royal, under General Sherman, in October, 1861. During the ensuing winter, he was chief of ordnance, in charge of the erection of batteries for the reduction of Fort Pulaski; after the engagement at that point, he was promoted to the rank of captain. He was next made chief of ordnance and artillery for the armies of the Potomac, of Ohio, and of the Cumberland. His first meeting with Gen. Grant was at the battle of Chattanooga, while he was on the staff of Gen. Thomas. When Gen. Grant was made lieutenant general, he appointed Porter his chief of staff, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In February, 1865, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, and on March 13, of the same year, was brevetted Brigadier general of the army. While Gen. Grant was Secretary of War, Gen. Porter served as Assistant Secretary of War, and during Grant's first administration, acted as his private secretary. Their friendly intimacy was close and enduring. Gen. Porter's last service in connection with the army was as military secretary under Gen. Grant, at the close of which he resigned his commission, and retired from the army. The Grant Monument at New York, dedicated April 27, 1897, was erected through his personal efforts in obtaining subscriptions to the amount of $500,000, four- fifths of which he raised within sixty days. Since 1873, Gen. Porter has been vice-president of the Pullman Palace Car Co. He is vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, and occupies prominent positions in various patriotic organizations.