Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-24

The announcement Monday Of the
death of William I. Porter, president
of the Board of Water Commissioners,
which occurred shortly before O'Clock
in the afternoon at his residence,
Eleventh and Adams streets, was a
shock to the community. Very few
people knew on Mr.. Forter's illness and
none except members OF bis immediate
family were aware that he was danger
ously sick He went home from the
office of the j. Morton Poole Co, of
which he was preeident, last Friday
suffering with apld, which was not
at all alarming. ORA Draper was sum-
moned and attended him, and 1t was
thought that he was Responding to the
treatment, until heart trouble de-
veloped Monday and Ehe end came
shortly afterward.
Mr.. Porter was one Sf the most
prominent citizens OF Wilmington and
had long been regarded a\ most able
public official; one WHOM could be
trusted with the interests Of the public
to any extent; as it was Rnatter OF
general knowledge that hen was
thoroughly conscientious man apd one
whose great business sagacity Apani
tested in his own private affairs played
as important part 10 all public kAt
ters in which he was interested. 4 1t
was this tfait that brought him into
public life. He was not politician
and did not seek any political Office, bun
his worth was long ago recognized and4
be consented TO serve the community
when called upon to do 80. 1t was a
case of the office seeking the man and
not the man seeking the office. He was
Democrat and always took an interest
in his party, but was broad minded
and liberal in politics as we'll as every
thing else In public matters he always
favored adopting the means that would
hest serve the interests of the people.
He was born in Beaufort. S. O., on
April 18th, 1929. In 1874 hs came to
Wilmington to learn the trade of ma
chinist, and served an apprenticeship
with j. Morton Poole. After conplet-
ing his apprenticeship be worked as
journeyman until 1853, when be he,
came Mr.. Poole's par trer, the firm oi
j. Morton Poole &Co. being established,
the members being MI. Poole and MIR.
Porter. An 1879 the J. Morton Poole Co.
was Incorporated, with Mr.. Poole
as president. Late IN that yenr
Mr.. Poole died and in 1880 Mr..
Porter became president, which
office he filled until his death. He was
president of the Farmers Mutual Fire
Insurance Co., having been elected to
that office January 10th, 1892, succe d
ing Christian Febiger, who died Jan.
uary 18th, 1892. Mr.. Porter had been
director since June 10th. 1885. He had
also been a director OF the National
Bank Of Wilmington and Brnndywine
for about 90 years and Of the Delaware
Railroad Co. many years. he was one
of the oldest members OF the Whining
too Club and for a long time had been
its vics-rresident.
He took an active interest in the
Water Department from its change to
the present system in 1883 until his
death. He was one of the first com
missioners, and when the commission
first organized, on April 9th, 1888,
with Mr.. Porter, Caesar A. Rodney and
Lewis Paynter, as the board Mr..
Porter was elected president. WHICH
office be filled continuously. His term
would have expired on July 1st mex.
and his SUCCESSOR would have been APP
pointed by the next mayer 1t will
devolve upon the other members OF the
hoard to fill the vacancy for the un-
expired tern. The board will meet
this afternoon when action will be
taken on Mr.. porter's death.
Deceased is survived by Mrs. Porter,
who was Miss Sophie Simmons, daugh-
ter of Joshua Simmons; also four
daughters, Mrs. Mary Whitaker and
Mrs. Ellen Almond Of this city, Mrs.
Julia Anderson of Chadd's Ford and
Miss Mabel Porter OF this city. Mr..
Porter was vestryman of Calvary
Episcopal Church.
The funeral will take place this
afternoon. Sersices will be held
at the house at 2 o'clock. Interment