Washington

PORTER, Edwin

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 327-328

Edwin PORTER, M. D., who has long been one of the ablest representatives of 
the medical profession, having successfully practiced at Northfield [Vermont] 
for almost half a century, was born 24 April 1826 at Northfield [Washington 
County, Vermont], a son of Benjamin and Sophia (FULLERTON) PORTER. His 
father [Benjamin PORTER] was born in 1788 at Vallentown [Voluntown, New 
London County], Connecticut, and his paternal grandfather, Rev. Mathias 
PORTER, was also a native of Connecticut. Mathias PORTER was a graduate of 
Brown University, and as a minister of the Congregational Church, engaged in 
preaching in Connecticut for some years, but in 1790 removed to Plainfield 
[Sullivan County], New Hampshire, where he passed the remainder of his days, 
dying there at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His [Mathias PORTER's] 
wife was eighty-eight years at the time of her death. They had a family of 
six children, five sons and one daughter: (1) Isaac, who was a graduate of 
Brown University and a physician in New Hampshire and Massachusetts 
throughout his active business life; (2) Benjamin, the father of our 
subject; (3) John, a prominent physician of Duxbury [Plymouth County], 
Massachusetts; (4) Jabez, a farmer of New Hampshire; (5) William, a 
teacher, who died at the early age of thirty years; and (6) Phoebe, who 
became the wife of Rev. Mr. WALKER, of Massachusetts.

Dr. Benjamin PORTER was educated at Lebanon Academy [Grafton County], New 
Hampshire, and in early life taught school for a year. He studied medicine 
with his brother Isaac, and later attended lectures at Hanover [Grafton 
County], New Hampshire, in Darmouth College. Coming to Northfield 
[Washington County], Vermont, in 1816, he at once opened an office and was 
not long in building up a large and lucrative practice, which he enjoyed 
throughout life. In early days he had to take many long drives over very 
rough roads in visiting his patients. He was an old-line Whig in politics, 
and for a number of years had charge of what was known as the surplus money 
for the state. In addition to his professional duties, he dealt largely in 
real estate, and was one of the most successful and prosperous men of the 
community. He was an active and prominent member of the Congregational 
church and a liberal contributor to its support. Fraternally he was 
connected with the Masonic order. After a long and useful life he [Benjamin 
PORTER] passed away in 1876, honored and respected by all who knew him. His 
[Benjamin PORTER's] wife had died in 1863, at the age of sixty-two years. 
She was a daughter of Edward FULLERTON, who came to Northfield [Washington 
County] from Newfane [Windham County, Vermont] and lived to the extreme old 
age of ninety-nine years and six months. Dr. and Mrs. [Benjamin] PORTER were 
the parents of four children: (1) Elizabeth, born in 1823, who became the 
wife of Dr. J. B. SMITH, of Brookfield [Orange County], Vermont; (2) Edward, 
who was engaged in mercantile business in California for thirty years, now 
living retired in that state; (3) Edwin, twin of Edward; and (4) Benjamin 
F., born in 1833, who is a real estate broker of California.

Dr. Edwin PORTER attended the University of Vermont, and after leaving that 
institution studied medicine with his father until he entered Hanover Medical 
College, where he received the degree of M. D. Since then he has engaged in 
active practice at Northfield and has met with marked success. He is one of 
the largest real estate owners in the place. In 1867 Dr. [Edwin] PORTER 
married Miss Caroline CARPENTER, born in Middlesex [Washington County, 
Vermont], a daughter of Judge Heman CARPENTER, of Northfield [Washington 
County, Vermont]; in 1891 he [Edwin PORTER] was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his estimable wife [Caroline (CARPENTER) PORTER]. Politically the Doctor 
has always been identified with the Democratic party. He was for many years 
a member of the Conversational Club and served as its president. Is also a 
member of the Vermont Medical Society. Wherever he goes he wins friends, and 
has the ability to retain them; his popularity has made him a great favorite 
in all circles.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly