GEORGE W. PORTER, a leading musician of
Avon
, and lately Representative to the legislature from the Seventh Norfolk
District, was born in
East Stoughton
(now
Avon
),
January 30, 1843
, son of Ahira and Rachel D. (Swan) Porter. The Porter
family is of English origin, and the subject of this sketch is of the fifth
generation in this country. His grandfather was Colonel Cyrus Porter, a
prominent citizen of
Avon
. Ahira Porter, the father, was born in this town, and worked in the boot
and shoe shops here for a number of years. An accomplished musician, he taught
singing-school in
East Stoughton
and neighboring towns. His death occurred in 1863. His wife, a native, of
Stoughton
, died in 1861. They were the parents of six children - Ahira S., Rachel
D., William, Samuel, James, and George W. George
W. Porter acquired his education in the public schools of
Avon
. When he was about eighteen years of age he went to work in a shoe shop; and
for twenty years be was employed in boot and shoe manufactories in this town,
most of the time as a cutter. A natural and trained musician, he has been
manager and director of the well-known Porter's Orchestra for a quarter of a
century. This orchestra was organized by his oldest brother, Ahira S. Porter (now
deceased), and is one of the best musical organizations of the kind in this part of the State. For
the past ten years Mr. Porter has devoted practically all his time to the
interests of the orchestra, which has filled engagements in many different towns
throughout
Eastern Massachusetts
. He is a member of
the Stoughton Musical Society.
In
1866 Mr. Porter was married to Ellen E., daughter of William H.
Tucker, of
Avon
. Mr. Porter is a prominent member of the Republican party. During the
session of 1895 - he represented this
district in the State legislature, and he has been chairman of the
Avon Republican Committee for a number of years, and has served. as
Selectman for the past three years.
Source:
Biographical Review - Volume XXV - Containing life sketches of leading
citizens of
Norfolk
County
Massachusetts
. (Boston, Mass., Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1898), pg. 220.
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