Portrait and Biographical Album, pages 104-108Dr. Edward Porter (Deceased)
On Marh 1st, 1879, there passed away from his home in Clinton a well beloved physician, whose many years of faithful toil in his profession made his name a household word in that community. Nor had his influence and efforts been confined to professional lines only, for in all the varied activities of our common life he had taken a helpful part as a loyal citizen, devoting his abilities to the cause of progress, Dr. Porter was a man whose death was felt as a loss among all classes and the following brief account of one so esteemed will be read with unusual interest.
Dr. Porter was a native of Ohio and was born at Sinking Springs, Highland County, February 6, 1833. His father, George Porter, was born in Pennsylvania, but when a child came to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and followed the pursuits of a farmer. Here he married Miss Eliza Lee Lowe, daughter of John W. Lowe and a second cousin to Robert E. Lee. They reared a family of three children, as follows: Edward, whose name heads this review; John W., of Clinton, and L. Josephine, who married Isaac N. Tully, a phusician of Red Cloud, Nebraska. In 1852 George Porter came with his sons to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm in Barnett Township. Where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1859, at the age of fifty-six years, his wife attaining the age of seventy. His son John, who is now living retired in Clinton, served from 1861 to 1865 in company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to second lieutenant.
In the place of his nativity edward Porter spent his boyhood days and attended the common schools. He was an industrious lad and eager to obtain a good education, spending all his leisure time in reading the best literature. When seventeen years of age he began teaching, oftentimes having pupils older than himself. In 1851 he first began the study of medicine and in 1852 he came to DeWitt county, Illinois, with his parents. The following ten years he devoted to farming and continued the study of medicine during his spare time. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he faithfully served for two years, at the end of which time he was discharged for physical disability. On his return to DeWitt County, in 1864, he was nominated by the Republican party to fill the office of county treasurer, and at the ensuing election he was elected by a large majority and re-elected in 1866. The next two years were spent on the farm, and in the winter of 1868 he attendeda cours of medical lectures in the Homeopathic College of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1869 he graduated with honors.
On his return to Clinton, he bought the practice of Dr. Mitchell and soon became one of the leading physicians of DeWitt County. Hewas a man of great force of character and trong prejudice, yet the warm impulses of his nature made him a generous enemy while he was the truest of friends. What ever he believed was right, he believed with his whole soul, and gave his conviction the full strength of his manhood.
On June 18, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy E. Mills, whose father was one of the early settlers of DeWitt County. As a result of this union the following named children were born: Chancey H., of Lincoln, Illinois; George B., of South Dakota; Mrs. Susan H. Wilson, county superintendent of schools, of Clinton , Illinois; Mrs. Lucy E. Turner, of Lincoln, Illinois; J. Guernsey, a practicing physician of Clinton. In sht spring of 1888, he was graduated from the Clinton high school and was then associated with the American Express Company, of Springfield, Illinois, but was later promoted to messenger and served in that capacity until 1895. Having devoted a great deal of time to the study of medicine, he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, where he was graduated in 1899. He at once came to Clinton where he has already built up a lucrative practice, and is fast reaching the degree his father held in the science of medicine. He is a member of DeWitt Lodge A. F. & A. M., Goodbrake Chapter and Clinton Council, all of Clinton. He is also a member and examining physician of the Modern Woodmen, Foresters, Court of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Loyal Sons of America. Giles G., a physician in Warren, Arkansas, is the next in order of birth; Mrs. Eliza J. Gatchell; Mrs. Nellis E. Owen, and the youngest member of the family is Freddie A., a teacher of Clinton.
Dr. Edward Porter was an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the republican party and in religion was a firm believer in the teachings of Swedenborg.A vigorous writer, he could ably defend his professional and religious views. His morality was of the highest type and his voice and influence was at all times on the side which favored and upheld good government.
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