Biographical Sketch of

Lester Porter

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 801 - 802 


Lester Newton Porter, who followed the old flag in the late war and is numbered among the early settlers of 
Waushara County in 1857, is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 29, in the town of 
Mt. Morris, where he owns a highly cultivated tract of land of 131 acres. He was born in the town of Brookfield, 
Waukesha Co., this State on the 2nd of November, 1844, and is a son of John and Bridget Ann (Shay) Porter. His 
father was born in New York, but when a child went with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. At the 
age of twenty-two years he emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee, where he became 
acquainted with and married Miss Shay; shortly afterwards he removed with his wife to the town of Brookfield, 
Waukesha County, where he remained until attacked by gold fever, when he started for California. By the time 
he reached Council Bluffs, his ardor was somewhat diminished and he returned to this State, making his home 
in Burlington, Racine County, for three years and then went tot he town of Neenah, Winnebago County, where he 
resided for about eight years, at the expiration of which time in company with his family he came to Waushara 
County. That was in the spring of 1857. He settled on a farm in section 29, in the town of Mt. Morris, which 
is still in the possession of the family and there resided for many years. There were twelve children born to 
John Porter and his estimable wife. The two eldest, Henry and Mary, are now deceased; Lester is the third in 
order of birth; George, who entered the service during the late war, was wounded and taken prisoner April 6, 
1862 at Shiloh and died at Montgomery, Ala.; Harriet A., widow of Ira Whipple, is living in Portage County, 
Wis.; John is a resident of Auburndale, Wood Co., Wis.; Belle is the widow of Louis Stratton and makes her 
home in Racine; Milton is an attorney and one of the prominent citizens of Merrill, Wis.; Andrew is a resident 
farmer of the town fo Wautoma; Alvord is also farming in Wautoma; Esther J. is a resident of Oasis; and Samuel 
is still at home. The mother of this family, who was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died 
in 1881, but Mr. Porter is still living and finds a pleasant home with his son Lester.

Our subject has passed his entire life in Wisconsin having resided for four years under Teritorial Government. 
With the family he came to Waushara County in 1857, and has therefore witnessed the many great changes which 
have transformed it from a wild and unsettled section to its present advanced position. Like a dutiful son he 
assisted his father in the cultivation fo the farm until his country called upon all loyal men to take up arms 
for the preservation of the Union, when he enlisted as a member of Company H, 30th Wisconsin Infantry for three 
years of service. The regiment was engaged in guard duty in Wisconsin during the greater part of that time. In 
the summer of 1864 they went to Dakota and built Fort Rice, where they were stationed for about three months, 
during which time they made a raid after the Indians. From Dakota they went to Louisville, Ky., arriving there 
Nov. 29, 1864. At length after three years' service he was mustered out and received his discharge on the 20th 
of September, 1865.

Mr. Porter immediately returned to his home and as soon as he was able began work as a farm hand by the month. 
He made his first purchase of land in February, 1866, it consisting of an 80-acre tract on section 29, in the 
town of Mt. Morris. On the 29th of November of the same year, he was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Delphine 
Cronkhite, a native of New York, and a daughter of Isaac H. and Fanny (Chatterton) Cronkhite, who were early 
settlers of Waushara County. Both have now passed away and are now laid to rest in Wautoma Cemetery, the mother 
having departed this life May 31, 1863, and the father Sept. 19, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Cronkhite were both natives 
of Dutchess County, NY, but soon after their marriage removed to Virgil, Cortland Co., NY, where he followed 
farming. They were the parents of eight children, all born in Virgil. Of that number five are now living, two 
having died in infancy, and one, Antha, the youngest of the family, who became the wife of Winfield S. Call, 
in 1874, died in Mt. Morris in 1883. Those living are Wellington, who resides at Kimball, Wis.; Elizabeth married 
Charles Booth, and lives in Hancock, Marquette County; George R. is a resident of Plainfield; Mary L. is the wife 
of Lewis Stedjee, and resides at Lessor, Wis.; and Mrs. Porter, completes the family.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Porter four children have been born: Claire W., born March 17, 1869, is engaged in 
teaching; Phee A., born April 2, 1872, is also a teacher; John Ross, born March 7, 1884, and Lucius, born January 
31, 1887.

In politics Mr. Porter is a stanch Republican and has filled many offices of public trust. Socially, he is a member 
of Ed. Saxe Post, No. 135, G.A.R., of Wautoma, and Mrs. Porter is a member of the W.R.C. Mr. Porter is also a member 
of the Waushara Grange, No. 350. Both he and his father are numbered among the leading citizens of the town of Mt. 
Morris. 






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