Santa
Clara County
Biographies
DANIEL J. PORTER
From an early period in the history of San Jose
until death brought an end to his activities, Mr. Porter was numbered among the
influential and progressive men to whom the city is largely indebted for its
present high standing throughout the state. In common with many of the men who
came to the Pacific coast regions in pioneer times, the expense of the long
journey across the plains left him little means with which to start life in the
west. However, he had acquired a thorough knowledge of a trade and possessed a
robust constitution and stalwart physique. With these as capital he worked his
way to independence. A native of Long Island, New York, he learned the
wagon-maker’s trade in New Jersey and followed the same in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While he did not join the first westward rush subsequent to the discovery of
gold, he was interested in tales from California, its climate and
possibilities, and the year 1852 found him en route for the Pacific coast, the
journey being made with mule teams and in company with Messrs. Haskell and Crydenwise.
Immediately after his arrival in
California Mr. Porter settled in San Jose, and no later event was of sufficient
importance to induce him to remove from this city. With Henry Haskell he
started a wagon and carriage factory and blacksmith’s shop on South First street, where the Porter stock building now stands. After
many years in the same business and location, in 1868 he erected on that site a
brick block known as the Porter stock building and here, as for some years
before, he carried on a livery business. His heirs are still interested in the
building and also own the residence which he erected on San Fernando street. Believing the purchase and improvement of local
property would be a safe investment, he conducted many such transactions, and
in this way did much to improve and build up the city. His various important
interests led him into the real-estate business, in connection with which he
wrote insurance policies. Later years did not bring a cessation of his
activities. Being a man of great energy and tireless industry, he was happiest
when deeply immersed in commercial enterprises, and nothing was permitted to
lessen his interest in affairs until death came to him, November 18, 1898.
Honored as one of the early settlers of the city, his passing away brought out
many testimonies as to his worth as a citizen and integrity as a man. He was
always warmly interested in the Santa Clara Pioneer Society and at one time
acted as it president. In politics he was a pronounced Republican, and on that
ticket was several times elected a member of the city council. While filling
that office he bore a prominent part in the improvement of Alum Rock Park,
whose great natural beauties have been enhanced by the art of landscape
gardeners and the contributions of public-spirited citizens. Fraternally he was
connected with the Master Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
After coming to San Jose Mr. Porter
met the lady with whom he was united in marriage May 24,1855. She was Miss
Caroline McKee, a native of Cromwell, Conn., and a daughter of Capt. Henry
McKee, whose history appears in the sketch of her brother, Joseph O. McKee, a
leading resident of San Jose. Her trip to the west was made in the same year
that brought Mr. Porter across the plains, but she reached here by water, the
voyage around the Horn from New York to San Francisco on the ship Flying
Dutchman, consuming one hundred and three days. Since
the death of Mr. Porter she has continued to reside at their old homestead,
with her being her only daughter, Adelia, Mrs. S. P.
Ingram. The only son, Daniel Avery Porter, is engaged in the insurance business
in this city. Mrs. Porter attends the Presbyterian Church and is interested in
the welfare of that denomination and its missionary and educational
institutions. Like her husband, she has affiliated for years with the Santa
Clara County Society of Pioneers, while his identification with the Masons and
Odd Fellows led her into co-operation and association with the Eastern Star and
order of Rebekahs, with both of which she is still
connected.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1191-1192. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.