Sacramento County
Biographies
HENRY S. PORTER
HENRY S. PORTER.--An honest, worthy and venerable pioneer of Sacramento County is found in the person of Henry S. Porter, whose residence in the county dates from 1859, where he followed farming until a few years before his death on March 31, 1916, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, on October 15, 1831, of Scottish ancestry. At the age of seventeen he left his native land for the New World, and after arriving in New York engaged in business there for nine years.
The marriage of Mr. Porter occurred on October 14, 1857, uniting him with Miss Amelia Brown, also a native of County Cavan, Ireland. Mrs. Porter remained in Ireland until she reached young womanhood, when she accompanied her sister to America and for nine years resided in New York, where she practiced her profession as a nurse. She was still engaged in her chosen vocation when she was married to Mr. Porter. Soon after their marriage they started to California via Panama, and on November 18, 1857, arrived in San Francisco. They remained but a short time in the Bay City, soon setting out to seek a suitable place for their permanent home. They located on a farm near Folsom, and there they lived for almost half a century. Eight children were born to this worthy pioneer couple; and of these, three are living: Henry G., residing in San Francisco; Mary J., the wife of E. C. Bedell, a well-known orchardist of Placer County, Cal.; and Robert, residing in Roseville, Cal. Five are deceased: William, Arthur, Ann F., Charles and Joseph. There are five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. For a number of years Mr. Porter served as a trustee of the Sylvan school district. He was independent in his political affiliations. Both he and his wife were formerly members of the Roseville Grange, and he also was a member of the Roseville Lodge, No. 203, I. O. O. F., in which he had filled many of the important offices. Mrs. Porter passed away on May 23, 1918, in San Francisco, being more than eighty-nine years old. Mr. Porter was identified with all public enterprises to the limit of his time and strength, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 814. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.