Charles W. Porter (July 11, 1849 – August 1, 1891) was an attorney and public official who served as Secretary of State of Vermont.
Biography
Charles Walcott Porter was born in Hartford, Vermont on July 11, 1849; he was the son of Judge John Porter (1798–1888) and Jane F. Foster (1811–1900).[1] Porter was educated in Hartford, and then graduated from Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire and Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts.[1]
After completing his education, Porter moved to Montpelier, where he studied law with Benjamin F. Fifield, and was admitted to the bar.[1] He practiced in partnership with Fifield and Clarence H. Pitkin; after Fifield retired, Pitkin and Porter practiced together until 1880, after which Porter carried on his own practice.[1] From 1887 until his death, he was president of the Berlin Granite Company.[1]
A Republican, Porter was Vermont's Deputy Secretary of State from 1872 to 1884.[1] In 1884, longtime incumbent George Nichols retired, and Porter became Secretary of State.[1] He served until 1890, when he was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination.[2]
Death and burial
Porter died at the home of his brother in law in New Bedford, Massachusetts on August 1, 1891.[3] He had been ill for more than a year, and traveled extensively in an effort to restore his health.[4] Physicians diagnosed him with malaria, though they were unable to determine how he had contracted it or when.[4] He was buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier.[5]
Family
In 1885, Porter married Florence B. Bailey, the daughter of Charles W. and Olive E. Bailey of Montpelier.[1]
References
Sources
Books
- Ullery, Jacob G. (1894). Men of Vermont Illustrated. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Publishing Company. pp. 322-323.
Newspapers
- "The State Convention". Vermont Phoenix. Brattleboro, VT. June 20, 1890. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Obituary, Charles W. Porter". Boston Post. Boston, MA. August 3, 1891. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- "C. W. Porter Dead". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. August 3, 1891. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Funeral of Hon. C. W. Porter". Vermont Watchman. Montpelier, VT. August 12, 1891. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.