From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 617-618

Samuel D. Porter was born in Medina County, Ohio April 16, 1843, son of Joseph and Huldah Porter. When he was about six years of age his parents moved to Ashland County, Ohio, and four years later to Wood County, where he was reared, and when fifteen years of age began to work at the mason's trade, which he followed till January, 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry. His first battle was Fort Donelson and the next Pittsburg Landing. After the last battle he was taken sick with the measles and not recovering was discharged at St. Louis, Mo., and returned home, his parents at that time living in Williams County. Early in the year 1864 he again offered his services to his country, but was rejected. May 1, 1864, he was accepted as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National Guards, for 100 days' service, and sent to the Army of the Potomac; was discharged the latter part of September. In 1868 the family moved to Steuben County and settled in Richland Township, where the mother died in December, 1869, in her fifty-fifth year. His father is living near Metz with a second wife, Mrs. Amanda Bridge. Four brothers of our subject are living -- Riley, William H., John W. and James W. Samuel D. Porter was married to Mary Judd Nov. 26, 1863. She was born in Monroe County, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1841. When she was two years of age her parents, Elihu and Eliza Ann Judd, moved to Ashland County, Ohio, and later to Williams County. In September, 1873, they came to Steuben County, Ind., where the mother died in 1874, aged fifty-nine years. The father still makes his home with Mrs. Porter. In March, 1868, Mr. Porter moved to Steuben County and settled near the center of Richland Township, and in the fall of 1871 moved to Metz, and in the fall of 1873 bought a farm in Otsego Township. In February, 1882, he sold his farm and returned to Metz and engaged in the hardware business with his brother James till February, 1884, when he sold his interest in the stock. Since the spring of 1885 he has been engaged in the manufacture of drainage tile and brick. In April, 1882, Mr. Porter was commissioned Postmaster at Metz. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. The have had five children -- Lewis died at the age of fourteen years, in April, 1881, Silas, Sanford, Perry, and Olive are at home.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com