The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-02
MRS. GIL. PORTER, ONCE NOTABLE AT
 CAPITAL, IS DEAD
Wife of Venerable Physician Entertained in War Times
 at Washington.

With the death of Maria Catherine Chaffee, wife of pr. George 4Lorin g Porter, this morning, a woman prom inent in the society of Washington at the time of the Civil War and prom inent also in the life of the comnnun- ity in which she has resided for the past A years, passed away. Miss Chaffee, the daughter of MT. and Mrs. Edwin M. Chafee, one of. the leading families of Providence, R. l., in ante war times, was married to pr. Porter, then a young surgeon in the army, on November 20, 1862, at Providence The wedding ceremony was perform ed by Bishop Clarke
 Dr. Porter was stationed in Fred ertck, Md, where he expected to, be for the rest of the winter, and receiv- ed leave of absence for his marriage During the afternoon of the same day, the young surgeon was ordered into active duty in the army of the Potomac, and he immediately left his bride and was not able to rejoin her for over a year.
 He was separated from her the greater part of the war and at it's conclusion took her to Washington to reside where she became a favorite in society and entertained practically all the people then prominent at the cap ita1s, many of whom have left their names in the history of the times. Sec retary Chase, Secretary WeI1es and Secretary John Hay, college friend or Dr. Porter and hundreds Of other famous people including Secretary stanton were among the friends of pr. and Mrs. Porter
 In 1867 pr. Porter was sent on an expedition against the Indians and he fn hi He travelled alone, on horseback. through Montana, Idaho, to the Pa ctf1c Coast over the Lewis and. Clarke trail and what is now practically the bed of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and was absent IS months
 In 1869 pr. and Mrs. Porter came to this city where they immediately en- tered into the social life of the town, They have resided in the quaint old home at 372 State street fos. more than 40 years. During the early years of his practice here. Dr. Porter was associated with the late Dr. Robert Hubbard, the prominent local physi- cian-
 Mrs. Porter Joined the First Ran dst church soon after coming to this city and was active in the work of. that religious organization until her failing health two years ago caused her to give up her work there. She has been a member for many years of the Orphan Asylum and was a member of the XIX club, to which most or the prominent women of the town belonged some 40 or 50 years ago.
 Besides her acquaintance in Wash 1ngton, Providence and this vicinity, Mrs Porter was widely known in many southern cities. Her sister married an ex-mayor of Norfolk. Va Tar + Fisher. Colonel Lamb fought all. the war and was captured sby General Terry.
 Her early education was gained in 9 school for girls in Providence Her Lather' father yVass the inventor of the Chaf- means of comm ercia1izing rubber He was associated with Goodyear and Haywood and was one of the most prominent of the early rubber man ufacturers.
 Mrs. Porter's death came at inc conclusion of a long illness during which at times she suffered intenselv She had not been able to leave her home since year ago last September One of her last appearances when she was in good health was at her gold en wedding celebration three years ago During the day, Dr. and Mrs. Porter received hundreds of their friends
 Mrs Porter was a woman of a euI- ture and refnenieht not often met with in this day and she naturally drew to her frienship the most prominent in the community.
 She is Survived by her husband and two sons, George of Langdon. N. H, and James Benton Porter of PhiIadel- pf1ia, Pa. A daughter, Ethel, died a number of years ago in Leadvi1le, Pa leaving four children and George Por- ter has two children, making six grand children, who also survive her.
 The funeral will be held from her residence at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Rev. John R. Brown, pas tor, and Rev. George. w. Nicholson, former pastor of the First Baptist church, will conduct the services. The body will be taken to Providence in the afternoon for interment in Swan Point cemetery.