Governor Porter's Path

This post is strictly a bio on James D. Porter and is from my book. This photo was taken on the front porch of the Porter home in Paris, Tennessee, and it pictures Gov. Porter, and two of his grandchildren, George Bibb Edmondson (my father) and Susanna Porter Edmondson (Susie Porter Hotelling)

Notes on James Davis Porter

Father of Susanna Dunlap Porter Bibb (my great grandmother)

From Family Documents

"JAMES DAVIS PORTER was born in Paris, Tennessee, December 7, 1828, and died May 18, 1912. Dr. Thomas Kennedy Porter married Geraldine Horton in Davidson County, Tennessee, February, 1824, and were the parents of James Davis Porter. His grandparents, Hannah  (Kennedy of the Old Stone House Kennedys)and William Porter, also named a child James Davis Porter, born in 1803; hence, their grandson later signed his name, James D. Porter, Jr. when he wrote personal letters

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nashville in 1846. He went on to study law under his future father-in-law, as well as to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1861, Governor Isham Harris appointed him Assistant Adjutant-General in the Provisional Army of Tennessee, and he continued to serve when the state's forces were transferred to the Confederacy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Porter helped organize the Army of Tennessee and was Gen. B.F. Cheatham's chief of staff.

After the war ended, he returned to his law practice and then served as Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit of Tennessee for four years before undertaking a successful campaign for governor. A strong advocate of education, Porter played a key role in establishing the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville and during his administration the first black medical school-Meharry Medical College-was founded. Porter was less successful in resolving the problem of the state's debt. After leaving office, he became president of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Company. He served as Assistant Secretary of State under President Grover Cleveland from 1885 until 1887. In 1893 President Cleveland made him Minister to Chile, a post that he held for two years."

A reader might wonder about this photo. On the back is a  description typed by Gov. Porter. He says "This is a part of a mirror imported from Spain by Francisco Pizarro when he became Captain (dark spot covering writing) of Peru. It was presented to me at the national Palace by the President of the Republic of Peru, in 1891. Jas. D. Porter."

"Having already been chosen president of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville, he became the University's Chancellor in 1901, and in 1902 he was chosen to serve as President of Peabody Normal College. When the two schools merged, he became President of the new George Peabody College, serving until 1909."

Well, that read like an obituary. Enough said on him. I certainly respect his accomplishments, and there were plenty. I also admire his softer side. The more personal side shows when I get to his communications with his wife.