The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-05-30
DIESAT
new YORK ONE


New York, May 30.-Gensral Hor-
ace Porter, former ambassador to
France, who died At his home heee,
had been an internationally known
perDonAge.
Sketch q Carer.
The career of General Horace
Porter, was eventual and interest
ing and included distinguished
services - Q soldier and In business
politics, and diplomacy. A. an
ora4or he also hsad high rank and
was chosen a the speaker ON many
memorable public occasions.
General Porter was born at
Bennington, Pa, April Is, 1881, and
was the SON Of David Rittenhouse
Porter, twice Governor Of Pennsyl-
wanna. The son was educated At the
Lawrence Scientific school and at
West Point. He had Just gradu-
ated, third In a class Of 40, from the
military school when the civil war
broke out
His army services began with the
beginning Of the war. and lasted
until it, close, when he formed ooe
of the little group at Appomattox
court house which watched the
meeting Of Grant and Lee to ar
range the surrender Of the southern
army. General Porter went first to
the front as lieutenant OF artillery.
He served for time under General
Hunter and later as q member of
General McClellan's staff. After
Antidem, when Mcclellan vas sup
erseded by Burnside, Porter Joined
Rosecrans in Tennessee as chief OF
ordnance in the Army Of the Ohio.
At Chattanooga he met Grant, and
from that time until the end his
fortunes followed those of the great
leader. General Porter was once
wounded and was six times brevet-
ted for gallant conduct in action
Between General Grant and Cen
eral Porter a warm friendship
sprang up during the dark days OF
the war, which, when the war cloud
had rolled away, still remained and
lasted until Grants death. In 1867
General Porter was made assistant
secretary Of war by Grant in Johns
cabinet This was his entry into
public life. For many years there
after he remained more or les:
closely in touch with affairs at tht
national capital.
Famous Speaker.
i In 1869 General Porter became
executive secretary to Presiden
Grant, with whom he remained un
til 1873. During this time h
achieved the first of his fame a:
an afterdinner speaker, which even
tually became International.
/ In 1873 he became vice presiden
of the Pullman company and late
president of the West Shore and TIL
st. Louis and San Francisco rail
roads. His ability in great bust
ness affairs was as marked as wa!
his capacity as a soldier. In late
life his connection with insuranc,
companies and banks became ex
tensive, but in 1897 he retired from
active business.
That year saw his appointment
as Ambassador to France, just afte
, he delivered the historic address o
dedication at Grants tomb; for tn
=, building of which he had PERSONAL,
raised the funds. He remained il
France until 1905, and during tina
time achieved perhaps his creates
? public service-the recovery of tn
a body Of John Paul Jones, the ia
, Their OF the American navy"
, On several occasions, especiall
, at the time of the nomination O
Mckinley for president in 1896, tn
name of General Porter was promi
nently mentioned in connection wit
the vice presidency.
a General Porter was fluen
= writer, lover Of books, and an &C
cQmplished linguist. He married
in 1868, Sophie X. McHarg, daugh
ter of John McHarg Of Albany,
Y. She died in 1908. A son an
. daughter survive.