NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Frank Everett PORTER, a prominent citizen and former editor of the Iron Era of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, is a member of a family long resident of that State, and was born October 20, 1874, in Newark, New Jersey. He is a son of James W. and Jennie (TOMPKINS) PORTER, natives of Sussex and Morris counties respectively. His mother dying when he was but seven months old, he lived on a farm with an aunt, Mrs. Abram COURDER, of Pine Brook, Morris county. He obtained his education at the local public school, but ended his studies when thirteen years of age at which time he found employment on a farm, where he remained until 1892. He then removed to Dover and secured a position with the Index, where he learned the newspaper business. He remained four years with the Index, growing proficient and experienced in his chosen line of work, and then became editor of the Warren Tidings of Washington, New Jersey. But Mr. PORTER did not confine his activities to his business. Public affairs attracted his attention from the first. He is a Republican in politics and in 1909 was chosen town clerk of Dover, serving in this capacity until 1912, when he resigned to accept editorship of the Iron Era. At the time of the recent upheaval in politics, in 1912, Mr. PORTER was selected by the new Progressive party to become the candidate on their ticket for the office of city recorder. In the election which followed, Mr. PORTER had the distinction of being the only man on the ticket to be elected, a distinction which seems to have surprised him more than any one else. The whole occurrence illustrates at once Mr. PORTER’s independence of mind and popularity with his fellow townsmen. Mr. PORTER is a member of Acacia Lodge, F. and A. M., of the I. O. O. F., and the I. O. R. M.. He is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, his father having been a veteran of the Civil War.

Mr. PORTER was married in 1895 to Emma VAN WERT, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David VAN WERT, of Pine Brook, New Jersey. To them have been born two daughters:

· Hazel F. and

· Adna M.,

who are at present students in the public schools of Dover. Mr. PORTER is a popular man in Dover and indeed throughout Morris county, where he has spent practically all his life, and indeed, the major portion of it in Dover. He is a practical newspaper man and the Iron Era is an effective sheet under his management.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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