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biography
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Porter, James Johnston, familiarly known as J. J., the head of the firm of J. J. Porter & Co., of Pittsburg,
wholesale dealers in millinery and notions, is one of the foremost business men of this county. He was born October 2, 1843, on a farm in Perry County, Ohio, son of James M. and Sarah (Orr) Porter.
He comes of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock. His grandfather, Nathan Porter, a native of the north of Ireland, settled on a farm in Cross Creek township, Ohio, about the year 1800, and there spent
the rest of his life.
James M. Porter was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, about 1812, and remained there until after his marriage. In 1842 he purchased from the government, at one dollar and a quarter per acre, one hundred
and sixty acres of land in Perry County, to which he thereupon moved his family and household goods in a covered wagon. His purchase was on the head-waters of Sunday Creek, in the centre of the coal and
oil fields of to-day. Knowing nothing of the mineral treasures hidden beneath his land, he worked industriously to cultivate it, but he had gathered only two harvests, when he died in 1844. His son,
James J., now owns the land, holding the original patents from the government. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Thomas Orr, a Scotch-Irish immigrant, who came to this country in 1790. A man of energy
and ability, Thomas Orr was an officer in the War of 1812, Sheriff of the county in 1814, and an active and prominent church member. He died in 1828. He was married in Ireland to Catherine Johnston,
who bore him twelve children. Mrs. Sarah Porter returned to her early home in Steubenville, Ohio, after her husband's death, and died in 1866.
James Johnston Porter, the only son of his parents, was educated in public and private schools in Steubenville. He obtained his first ideas of business in the store of G. Scott & Co., of Steubenville,
dealers in dry goods, trimmings, and millinery, entering Mr. Scott's employ in 1860. Mr. Scott died in 1868, and in 1869 a new firm was formed, of which Mr. Porter was a member. The name was J. H. Hawkins & Co.
They conducted a successful business for four years; and then, in 1873, two of the partners, Mr. Porter and Mr. Donaldson, opened a store in Pittsburg at 127 Wood Street, with the sign Porter, Donaldson & Co.
All the members of the Steubenville house were interested in this establishment, and were soon in command of a flourishing trade. Two years after opening the establishment they moved to the corner of Fifth Avenue
and Liberty Street. In the latter part of January, 1878, Messrs. Porter and Donaldson sold their shares in the Steubenville business, and bought all the stock of the Pittsburg store. The firm name was then changed
to Porter *amp; Donaldson. In 1882 they moved into their present commodious quarters, Nos. 820, 822, and 824 Liberty Avenue, where they occupy the whole of five floors and the basement. On January 1, 1892, Mr. Donaldson
having retired, the firm name was changed to J. J. Porter & Co. During all the changes in management and location Mr. Porter has been a leading spirit in the enterprise, and much of its success is due to his
ability and judgment. From fifty to one hundred and fifty hands are now employed in the establishment, according to the season; and the trade embraces a circuit of three hundred miles, extending into Indiana, Ohio, and Western Virginia.
Mr. Porter was married December 18, 1890, to Miss Mary Clokey, of Springfield, Ohio . He and his wife are members of the First United Presbyterian Church of Allegheny. In the society he has been an Elder since
1883, is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and he has been the superintendent of the Sunday-school for twelve years. In 1883 he was the treasurer of the Quarter-centennial Commission of the United
Presbyterian Church, taking an active part in raising the seven hundred thousand dollars which was that year devoted to missions and other church work. He is at present serving on the Board of the Young Men's Christian Association.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous.
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