J. A. PORTER.

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         J. A. Porter, who owns a fine farm property of one hundred acres in Elm Grove township which he is cultivating, was born in Louisa county on the 5th of February, 1857. He is a son of Hugh and Lydia (Maloney) Porter, both natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States. Upon his arrival in this country Mr. Porter first located in New York, where he remained for fourteen years, and at the expiration of that period he came to Louisa county, in April, 1855, buying eighty acres of land, which he cultivated with increasing success, and thus adding to his holdings from time to time until when he died he owned four hundred and eleven acres of fertile land. His demise occurred on the 19th of January, 1895, many years after that of his wife, who passed away on the 12th of June, 1879. Eight children were born to them in the following order: Isaac T., a resident of South Dakota; J. A. Porter, our subject; Annie, the wife of R. H. Wheeler, of Louisa county; John D., who lives in Orange, California; and Isabel, James, Mary and an infant, the eldest of the family, all deceased.

         The boyhood and youth of J. A. Porter were spent in a manner very similar to those of the majority of farmer lads. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education, while such time as he was not there engaged was very largely given to assisting with the work of the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he left the parental roof and began working for himself. . . .

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. . . For a time he followed farming but later worked at the carpenter’s trade for three years. At the end of that time he bought one hundred acres of land on sections 29 and 21, Elm Grove township, upon which he has since continuously resided. He has erected a fine residence, barns and outbuildings during the period of his residence, all of which have been constructed with due regard for the purpose they were to serve as well as for appearances. Here he engages in stock-raising in addition to the cultivation of his fields, and his efforts in both directions are meeting with success.

         On the 31st of December, 1885, Mr. Porter’s plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage to Miss Olive C. Thompson. She is a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Willis) Thompson, to whom were born ten children: Mary Harkness, who is a resident of Creston, Iowa; a daughter who died in infancy; Nancy J., the wife of J. H. Armstrong, of Texas; Robert N., deceased; William L., a resident of Central Point, Oregon; Ella, the wife of Dr. Grimes, of Wapello; Lois, who married W. D. Garmoe, of Winfield, Iowa; Olive and Oliver, twins, the former now Mrs. Porter and the latter a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Jay F., who is living in Wellington, Kansas.

         The union of Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been blessed by three daughters: Frances, who was graduated from the Washington Academy in 1905 and is now teaching school; Mary L., who will graduate from the Washington high school with the class of 1912; and Hazel E., who is at home.

         The religious faith of the family is manifested through their affiliation with the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Porter casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. He meets the requirements of good citizenship by assisting in the administration of local government and has held several township offices. A man of determination and purpose, he is meeting with success in the direction of his interests and is known as one of the prosperous farmers of Elm Grove township, among whose citizens both he and his family are held in high regard.