Portrait and Biographical Album, pages 232-233Dr. J. Guernsey Porter
This prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Clinton was born in Clinton, July 12, 1868, and is descended from and old substantial family, who have borne an important part in the history of this country. His grandfather, George Porter, was born in Pennsylvania, but when a child was taken to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and followed the pursuits of a farmer. He there married Miss Eliza Lee Lowe, daughter of Jown W. Lowe and a second cousin to Robert E. Lee. They reared a family of three children, as follow: Edward, our subject’s father; John W., of Clinton; and L. Josephine, who married Isaac N. Tully, a physician of Red Cloud, Nebraska. In 1852, George Porter came with his sons to DeWitt county, Ilinois, where he purchased a farm in Barnett township, where he spent he remaining days, dying in 1859 at the age of fifty-six years. His wife attained the age of seventy. His son John, who is now retired in Clinton, served from 1861 to 1865 in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to second lieutenant.
Edward Porter was born in Sinking Springs, Highland county, Ohio, on February 6, 1833, where he spent his boyhood days and attended the common schoos, and, as before stated, in 1852 came with his parents to DeWitt county. He was an industrious lad and eager to obtain a good education, and aside from his regular schooling he sought the knowledge of authors, spending all his leisure time in reading the best literature, which was beneficial to him in his future profession. At seventeen years of age he began teaching, often having pupils older than himself. In 1851 he began the study of medicine, which he kept up for several years, devoting what time he could spare to it. In 1862 he proved his patriotism by enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he faithfully served for two years and was then discharged for physical disability. In 1864 he was nominated by the Republican party for county treasurer and was elected by a large majority, which office he filled with so much credit to himself that he was re-elected in 1866. The next two years wre spent on the farm, after which he attended a course of medical lectures in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Homeopathic College, from which he graduated with honors. He then returned to Clinton and brought Dr. Mitchell’s practice, but this was not necesary, for almost immediately his skill was recognized and he was acknowleded as one of the leading physicians of the county. He was a great reader, spending his spare moments in the study of able writers, a conscientious practitioner, a noted writer and an eloquent speaker, believing firmly in the teachings of Swedenborg. On June 18, 1856, he was united in marriage with Lucy E. Mills, whose father was one of the early settlers of DeWitt county. Their children were 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, our subject; Giles G., a physician of Warren, Arkansas; Mrs. Eliza J. Gatchell, Mrs. Nellie E. Owen; and Freddie A., a teacher of Clinton. The father of this family died March 1, 1879. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge. His widow, who survives, has a beautiful brick residence, where our subject also makes his home.
In the spring of 1888 J. Guernsey Porter graduated from the Clinton high school and was then associated with the American Express Company, of Springfiled, Illinois, but was later promoted to messenger and served in that capacity until 1895. Having devoted a good deal of time to the study of medicine, he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College and 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, A. O. U. W., and Sons of America.
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