New-York tribune., 1900-12-16
OBITUARY.
JOHN ADDISON PORTER, PRESIDENTS
FORMER SECRETARY DIES AT
PUTNAM, CONN.

Putnam. Conn. Dec. 15.-John Addison Porter.
formerly private secretary TO President Mckinley
died at his home here shortly before o'clock this
afternoon. He had been sick for many weeks with
a malignant intestinal disease. An operation which
performed nearly two months ago served to
stay the progress OF his malady. but could not en-
tirely arrest it, and it had been evident for long
time TO his family and near friends that he was
slowly growing weaker.
His condition however was such that he
able TO sit about the house. and on last Wednesday
he went for a drive. On Thursday he was attacked
with a severe sinking spell and never rallied from
IT, being unconscious much of the time until his
death. Shortly before the end came he recognized
the members of his family who were at his bed
side and bade them farewell.
John Addison Porter was born in New-Haven,
Conn on April IL 1856. He the eldest son OF
Professor John Addison Porter noted scientist.
first dean of the Sheffield Scientific School OF fae
University. and Josephine Earl Shetneid' daughter
of the founder of that institution. he was eou-
Gated at General Russelrs Collegiate and CONNER
cial Institute In New-Haven; the Hopkins Gram
mar School and Yale University. where he was
graduated from the academic department III 'ne
class of rs with honors in literature After leaN-
ing college he studied law in Cleveland ONO, III
the office of his uncle. William ]. Boardman' aitei-
ward leaving the profession to engage in newspaper
work on the local STATS of THE New-HaVen Dahy
Palladium" and THE Hartford Courant. IN 1901
he made an extended tour In the west ouose-
quently he pursued a post graduate course IN
American history at Yale In 1888 he became llt-
ersry editor OF THE New-York Observer, holding
the post a year The following year he went TO
Washington to engage in the publishing business
and he served as secretary to his uncle, William
Walter Phelps. then member of the House. ana
was clerk of a Senate committee in the ALlAth
Congress In 1887 severe illness compelled him
to go South for the winter, and on his return
he purchased an estate in Pomfret, Conn, where
he afterward made his permanent home In 1888
Mr.. Porter purchased an interest In THE Hartford
POST. Two years later he secured controlling
interest in that paper and became its editor-n-
chief, post he held for ten years.
He represented the town of Pomfret In the popu-
lar branch of the Connecticut General Assembly In
1891 and was elected delegate to the Republican
National Convention at Minneapolis IN 1897 on
two occasions he candidate for the nomlna-
ton for the Governorship OF Connecticut IN each
instance receiving a large majority of the votes
cast at the primaries but falling to carry the con-
In the PRESIDENTIAL campaign of 1886 Mr.. Porter
was an earnest advocate Of the nomination Of Mr
Mckinley, and result largely OF ms ehes sSt
state in the ST Louis Convention was cast for the
Ohio candidate McKinleys plurality IN ConhsGoo ns CO.
Mr. Porter without on his PaTt nbr,,sr
1897, and assumed ofTice on March 4, 1887 His
health seriously impaired by severe attack TX
of skgesf @ eefeary tn yhs to fP5n @ 81 for
falling IN s e Tegan AT hs he President a rei1c
tantly accepted his resignation on MAY l. , Sihfe I
that date c Mr. PSTtec TsciaPs sPene eaTe
Mr. Porter was a member of numerous SOCIAL ana
Masone order the Sons Of the American ReyqQ-
ton the Hartford club the PoTret G onnecticut re
Press Club. His literary works included sket1ngs Ike r
Of Yale ale 4e Sy and Gr msny Articles in lead
ing ma gaines and literary WeekIles ne va, vas maj s
ried IN lSSI 10 of this sitv and they had three
chiIdPen, one Of whom died in infancy.