The Portland daily press., 1886-12-14
A VALUABLE OFFICIAL.
An Exceptionally Long Service to be
Terminated January &, 1887.

John Porteous, Esq, who for many years
represented the Grand Trunk railway
in this city as their agent is about TO
sever his connection with that company
after continuous service in various i'm
portant positions covering period of thirty
two years. Commencing at Hamilton, Ont,
in 1854, as corresponding clerk to the general
freight agent of the Great Western road, Ia
part of the present Grand Trunk railway
SYSTEM he went thence in 1858 to Milwaukee
with the ID. x NJ r. r., remaining there
until August, 1868, when he came to Port
land and took charge of the freight depart
ment in the Eastern division of the road,
including the large interests in the Provinces
of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as we'll
as their important traffic in Boston and New
York, which at that time centred in this
city. His management for the thirteen
years he held this position, was marked with
rare skill and fidelity, not only as pertaining
to the interest of the corporation, but to the
advantage of the merchants of Portland, and
consequently to the people of Maine.
In 1876 Mr.. Porteous was detailed
to the important service of establish
inc an European agency. For that pur-
pose he visited Liverpool. Returning
in 1877, after having successfully per-
formed the duty assigned him, he was
selected by the general manager as the per-
son best fitted to carry out his views in the
development of the European freight traffic
OF the line, transported VIA Montreal during
the summer season, and via Portland in the
winter, to and from Liverpool, Glasgow and
London, as well as other foreign ports in
connection with the various steamship COM
panles who were under time contract or
otherwise with the Grand Trunk railway
The agencies then organized are still in sue
cessful operation.
From the time of his return from that
mission until the present he has been the
general freight agent of the road, with his
once at Montreal. he sewers his connection
with the Grand Trunk Company by resigna-
ton, rendered on the 10th of November and
accepted by the corporation to take effect as
above stated.
When be was placed in charge of the gem
eral freight department at Montreal, his aim
was to build up large business over the
main line of the Grand Trunk, and he sue
cessfully accomplished this. We do not fail
to remember that he never forgot his former
New England home during his absence from
It, and would have further extended the
traffic via Portland, but was prevented by
circumstances over which he had no control
Soon after removing to Montreal, Mr.. Por-
teous had much to do with arranging for the
export grain business from the Province of
Ontario of the late Great Western Railway,
as well as the Grand Trunk The Grand
Trunk Railway Company had previously
contracted with the various steamship COM
panies to this end, and he was thus enabled
TO carry out their purposes In this connec-
ton we venture the assertion that the COM
mercial people of Portland would have been
highly pleased had the company arranged
meanwhile to extend their elevator and
wharf facilities here, and we indulge the
hope that ere long they may see it to be
greatly for their advantage as well as for
the accommodation of our merchants to do
so.
During the thirteen years of residence in
this city Mr.. Porte0us found time and oppor-
tunity to identify himself with the various
religious and charitable operations Of our
peple,. and gave to them ehe same earnest ap-
pllcatlon to duty that was eminently charac-
teristic of his service to the railway compa-
ny.
We are not advised of his plans or pur-
poses for the future; but we venture the
prediction that Mr.. Porteous will not long
content himself to remain idle, or to entirely
disconnect himself from a vocation in which
he has earned reputation of which he
ought to be proud, and obtained a practical
knowledge and familiarity with railroad
methods and management which undoubted-
~ otner interests OF like character will be
glad to secure.
BY the Montreal Witness of the Sth inst.
we notice that at meeting of the Corn Ex-
change of that city, held the day before, res
0lutlons OF regret at the retirement of Mr.
Porteous were adopted, and measures inaug-
urated to petition the Grand Trunk Railway
Company to endeavor to retain his services.