Hiram Porter, deceased.—Prominent among the self-made men of Johnson County, was the late Hiram Porter. Mr. Porter was a native of Clark County, Ind., born in the year 1823, and was the son of Francis Porter. He accompanied his father to Johnson County when seven years of age, and lived here until his death, which occurred about the year 1866. He was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and frequently shipped as high as 2,500 head of hogs at one time, besides dealing extensively in other livestock. In early life, his surroundings were of the most unfavorable kinds, but with a well-defined purpose to succeed, he overcame the many hindrances which poverty threw in his way, and amassed a handsome fortune. He built a gristmill near his home, which was in operation a number of years, and at the time of his death owned over 600 acres of valuable land and a vast amount of other property. Mr. Porter was married first to Miss Lucinda Beech, by whom he had two children: Francis K., and Mary J., now Mrs. Logan. Mrs. Porter died in 1848, and later Mr. Porter married Miss L. Prather, who bore him three children, one of whom, Miss Henrietta Holman, is living. Mr. Porter’s third marriage was solemnized with Miss Rachel Prather, who bore him one child, now dead. Mr. Porter’s fourth wife was Miss Susan Wright, after whose death he married Miss Annie Small, who is now living at Rushville, Ind. There were no children by the last two marriages. Mr. Porter was a democrat in politics, and deserves mention as one of the representative citizens of Johnson County.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 713.