Erwin B. Porter

PORTER, BOOMER, MEYER, NOBLE, KIDNER

Posted By: Oregon Rain
Date: 1/21/2007 at 22:14:29

Erwin B. Porter, a representative and successful farmer residing in Delhi, was born in Delhi township on the 27th of March, 1862. His parents were John and Annvernette (Boomer) Porter, natives of Vermont and New York respectfully. The father was born May 14, 1822, in Colchester, Vermont, at a point on Lake Champlain called Porter's Point. His childhood and youth were spent in that locality and he acquired a common school education and also learned a carpenter's trade. As soon as he had completed his term of apprenticeship he commenced working for himself, running a sash and door factory. In 1844 he removed to Chicago, Illinois, when that great western metropolis was but an insignificant village and worked at his trade in connection with the lumber business. He had the distinction of running the first pattern bevel machine in Chicago and was known as one of the successful business men of the town. He was married at Garden Prairie, Illinois, and remained in that town for a year, engaged in the mercantile business, but he then sold out and returned to Chicago, where he became a contractor. He subsequently removed to Waukegan, Illinois, and engaged in business as a contractor for four years, after which he located at Bellevue, Iowa, and conducted a store for a year. In 1853 he came to Delhi, in this county, where he did a great deal of work as a carpenter and contractor, erecting a number of buildings which were well known in their day. He was also engaged in the real estate business and in 1856-57 was the owner of a large implement store in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1858he located on the farm now in possession of his son and conducted a nursery business there until 1883, when Edwin B. Porter purchased the business from his father. The latter continued to reside in Delhi until his demise, June 27, 1909. He was married July 4, 1846, to Miss Boomer and to this union were born eleven children, only two of whom survive: Erwin B., of this review; and Homer H., a resident of Roundup, Montana. The others all died in childhood. The mother of these children passed away December 4, 1892, and the father was married October 4, 1894, to Mrs. Clara Meyer, whose demise occurred in August, 1904.

Erwin B. Porter acquired his education in the Delhi public schools and in Lenox College at Hopkinton and after leaving school took up teaching, which he followed during the winter seasons, while he devoted his attention to horticulture during the summer months. He subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits in Delhi but later took up agriculture and is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty five acres situated on section 17, Delhi township. He keeps everything about his place in fine condition. His energy is seemingly inexhaustible and as he manages the work of the farm excellently, coordinating its various phases so as to secure the greatest results with the least waste of effort, he derives a good profit annually from his agricultural activities.

Mr. Porter was married November 25, 1886, to Miss Cora A. Noble, a daughter of Lucius and Elizabeth (Kidner) Noble, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. In 1846 they removed to this state and settled in Clayton county, where they have since made their home. They are now residents of Strawberry point. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been born a son, John Noble, who was graduated from both the Delhi and Strawberry Point high schools and is now a student at the school of civil engineering of Highland Park College, Des Moines.

Mr. Porter is a democrat in his political belief, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church. He is also a member of Delhi Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F., and is popular not only among his lodge brothers but also with all who have been associated with him. In addition to his landed interests he is secretary of the Silver Springs Creamery Company of Delhi, of which he was one of the organizers in 1892. He has held the position of secretary for many years and the steady growth of the concern is due in no small measure to his fidelity to trust and his systematic management.

~ source: History of Delaware County, Iowa and its People, Illustrated, Volume II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1914, Chicago. Page 271-272. Call Number 977.7385 H2m; LDS microfilm #934937.