William H. Porter Explained

Office:President of Chemical National Bank
Term Start:1903
Term End:1910
Predecessor:George G. Williams
Successor:Joseph B. Martindale
Birth Name:William Henry Porter
Birth Date:8 January 1861
Birth Place:Middlebury, Vermont
Death Place:Brooklyn, New York
Education:Middlebury Academy
Saratoga High School
Parents:William Trowbridge Porter
Martha Elizabeth Samson Porter
Spouse:Esther Jackson
Children:2

William Henry Porter (January 8, 1861 – November 30, 1926) was a prominent banker in New York City. Porter became president of Chemical National Bank in 1903 and was one of the founders and directors of the Bankers Trust Company of New York. 1908, Porter was elected to serve as president of the New York Clearing House and later became a partner in the firm J.P. Morgan & Co..

Early life

Porter was born at Middlebury, Vermont on January 8, 1861.[1] He was a son of William Trowbridge Porter (1838–1898) and Martha Elizabeth (née Samson) Porter (1837–1917).[2]

Porter was educated at Middlebury Academy and the Saratoga High School.

Career

His first banking employment was as a junior clerk in the Fifth Avenue Bank of New York, where he stayed for eight years. In 1886, Porter left the Fifth Avenue Bank of New York to become cashier of the Chase National Bank. In 1893, after seven years as vice president of the Chase National Bank, Porter was elected vice president of the Chemical National Bank in 1898.[3]

Upon the death of George G. Williams in May 1903, Porter became president of Chemical National Bank. Also in 1903, Porter was one of the founders and directors of the Bankers Trust Company of New York. Porter was also a trustee of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York.[4]

On October 6, 1908, Porter was elected to serve as president of the New York Clearing House.[5] Porter also served as treasurer and member of the executive committee of Chamber of Commerce.

In 1910, Porter left Chemical to become a partner in the firm J.P. Morgan & Co.[6]

Personal life

Porter was married to Esther Jackson (1862–1934), a daughter of James Jackson. Together, they lived in a townhouse at 45 East 68th Street in Manhattan and had a country home in Glen Cove on Long Island. They were the parents of:

Porter died while walking with his wife along Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn on November 30, 1926.[13] [14] After a funeral at Central Presbyterian Church on Madison Avenue, he was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx.[15] [16] His estate was left to his wife (who died in 1934), daughter and grandchildren along with various bequests to Middlebury College and several churches.[17]

Legacy

Porter helped to fund the creation of the Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, Vermont.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Van Pelt . Daniel . Leslie's History of the Greater New York: Encyclopedia of New York biography and genealogy . 1898 . Arkell Publishing Company . 159 . 20 August 2020 . en.
  2. Book: Revolution . Daughters of the American . Lineage Book, Vol. 103 . 1928 . . 239 . 20 August 2020 . en.
  3. News: CHEMICAL BANK'S NEW OFFICIAL; William H. Porter of the Chase National to be Its Vice President. . 20 August 2020 . . 4 December 1898.
  4. Book: Leonard . John William . Marquis . Albert Nelson . Who's who in America . 1908 . Marquis Who's Who . 1509 . 20 August 2020 . en.
  5. NY Times, October 7, 1908
  6. News: G.W. PERKINS TO BE EQUITABLE TRUSTEE; Retires from J.P. Morgan & Co. to Take the Place Left Vacant Since Cleveland's Death. . 20 August 2020 . . 10 December 1910.
  7. News: Obituary . 20 August 2020 . . 21 October 1918.
  8. News: Times . Special to Tile Ntw York . Mrs. Paul Pryibil . 20 August 2020 . . 23 August 1969.
  9. News: Mrs. Helen Porter Davisson and Paul Pryibil Married in Ceremonies Here and in Florida . 20 August 2020 . . 12 October 1928.
  10. News: TIMES . Special to THE NEW YORK . OWNERS OF ESTATES BUILD NEW HOMES; Many Residences on North Shore of Long Island Will Be Opened After Easter. EARLY PARTIES EXPECTED Colonel Roosevelt and Bertron Fashestock Among Those Taking Occupancy View of Sound and Bay Paul Pryibils Build Home Marshall Field Buys Land OWNERS OF ESTATES BUILD NEW HOMES . 20 August 2020 . . 6 March 1938.
  11. News: Miller . Tom . A Queen Anne Survivor at No. 23 East 69th Street . 20 August 2020 . Daytonian in Manhattan . 30 November 2012.
  12. News: Paul Pryibil, Broker, Exchange Member . 20 August 2020 . . 30 December 1947.
  13. News: W.H. PORTER DEAD; STRICKEN IN STREET; Member of J.P. Morgan & Co. Had Stepped From an Auto for Walk With His Wife. . 20 August 2020 . . 1 December 1926.
  14. News: MORGAN PARTNER HONORED; Bankers and Business Men Pay Tribute to Late W.H. Porter. . 20 August 2020 . . 10 December 1926.
  15. News: W. H. Porter's Rites Tomorrow. . 20 August 2020 . . 2 December 1926.
  16. News: To Attend W, H. Porter's Funeral. I . 20 August 2020 . . 3 December 1926.
  17. News: W.H. PORTER'S WILL AIDS WIDOW CHIEFLY; She Gets Third of Estate of Morgan Partner as Well as Residuary Portion. $1,350,000 DISPOSED OF Trusts Established for Child and Four Grandchildren -- Funds for Middlebury College, Churches. . 20 August 2020 . . 15 December 1926.
  18. Web site: History . www.portermedical.org . Porter Medical Center . 20 August 2020.