W. J. Porter Biography


	This biography appears on pages 674-677 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				W. J. PORTER. 

	On the list of those who have passed from the scene of earthly 
activities but whose labors in former years were of value and worth to 
the community is found the name of W. J. Porter, who carried on farming 
on section 26, Le Roy township, Lake county. He was born in Quebec, 
Canada, on the 3d of April, 1848. His father, William Porter, followed 
the occupation of farming both in Canada and in Wisconsin. 

	W. J. Porter was but a youth when his parents removed to 
Wisconsin and there he acquired his education in the public schools, 
his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the 
pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields until his 
textbooks were permanently put aside, after which he continued to 
assist his father in the farm work. He came to South Dakota in the 
early '70s and he secured both homestead and tree claims, after which 
he began to cultivate and develop his fields, remaining active in the 
work of the farm until his death, which occurred July 25, 1890. There 
were very few living in Lake county when Mr. Porter secured his 
homestead. In fact, the entire district was a frontier region and the 
work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun. There were 
many hardships and privations to be borne that are always incident to 
frontier life when one is far removed from markets or other available 
sources of supply. Mr. Porter dug the first well at Madison and was 
connected with various movements which resulted to the benefit of the 
county or of the community in which he lived. 

	On the 3d of April, 1884, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to 
Miss Dora Jones, a daughter of William Jones, who was a pioneer of 
Wisconsin. Their children are: William Leon, who is a graduate of the 
University of Wisconsin, and now operating the home farm; and Claude, a 
lineman in the employ of a telephone company. 

	In his political views Mr. Porter was an earnest republican and 
kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His 
religious faith was that of the Methodist church and he lived up to its 
teachings, always endeavoring to follow the golden rule in his 
relations with his fellow men. While many years have passed since he 
was called to his final rest, he is yet remembered by friends and 
neighbors for his excellent traits of character as well as for his 
business ability and his contribution to the development of the 
district. His son, William Leon, still carries on the home farm and has 
added various improvements to the place, which comprises three hundred 
and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He raises high grade 
cattle and horses and is also a stockholder in the Madison Elevator. 
The family was among the earliest of the county and has always been 
prominent in furthering community interests.