Obit: Porter, W. B. (1829 - 1885)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Porter, Shean, Robie, Prickett, Catchpole, Brown

----Sources: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 30 June 1885

Porter, W. B. (22 June 1829 - 23 June 1885)

"W. B. Porter died at his home in this city, Monday night, June 23, probably from the effect of an overdose of morphine taken Sunday night to allay nervousness, from which he was suffering. He lay unconscious during Monday until the time of his death, being under the care of Drs. Shean and Robie. During the day symptoms of apoplexy and congestion of the lungs developed.

Mr. Porter was born at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 22, 1829. At the age of seven or eight years he moved with the family to Wadsworth, Miami County, Ohio. At about ten years of age he came to Wisconsin and settled in Waukesha County, on the site of Deisner’s mill, Pewaukee town. He remained there until 1850, when, in company with two brothers and other companions he went to California and engaged in gold mining. His success in this direction was but moderate. He remained there three years and then returned to Waukesha and entered the mercantile business. In 1859 he came to Black River Falls and purchased a stock of drugs, etc., of H. E. Prickett. He remained in this business ever since, building up a large trade, including in his stock a large variety of goods, and managing a whole with great skill and commercial ability and good success.

Having been a resident here for over a quarter of a century, engaged in active business, and being of a thoroughly social disposition, he had made the acquaintance and gained the good will of a very large circle of citizens of this place and of Jackson County. The old settlers in particular, who have known him for so many years and associated him with reminiscences of the early days of the village, will miss his familiar face and his companionship.

He leaves a wife, two daughters, and a son, living in this city, and other relatives outside.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon, under the direction of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member. Revs. L. G. Catchpole and G. W. L. Brown performed the clerical offices of the occasion, and a large gathering of sympathizing friends met to offer this last tribute to the memory of the deceased. The funeral procession was headed by the city cornet band." - B. R. F. Banner.