Leonard G. Porter (1806-1884) was the tenth born of eleven children, a pioneer at home among town builders. He held public offices, serving as Trustee of the Township and Justice of the Peace. Porter taught at Dover Academy. His wife, Catherine Stevens, was the daughter of the minister of the Dover Congregational Church. Porter lived across the street from the church and served as Sunday School Superintendent and the leader of the Church Choir. Sadly, Leonard's and Catherine's only child died in infancy, and Catherine passed a few years later. Porter devoted his life to the citizens of Dover. A provision in his will allotted the sum of $1000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover and a collection of books to be housed within.
In 1884, Leonard Porter willed the sum of $1,000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover Township, Ohio (which became Westlake Township in 1940, and the City of Westlake in 1957) and a collection of books to be housed within. Circulation records date back to 1893,(taken from Westlake Ohio Historical Society papers)
In 1884, Leonard Porter willed the sum of $1,000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover Township, Ohio (which became Westlake Township in 1940, and the City of Westlake in 1957) and a collection of books to be housed within. Circulation records date back to 1893,(taken from Westlake Ohio Historical Society papers)
Leonard G. Porter (1806-1884) was the tenth born of eleven children, a pioneer at home among town builders. He held public offices, serving as Trustee of the Township and Justice of the Peace. Porter taught at Dover Academy. His wife, Catherine Stevens, was the daughter of the minister of the Dover Congregational Church. Porter lived across the street from the church and served as Sunday School Superintendent and the leader of the Church Choir. Sadly, Leonard's and Catherine's only child died in infancy, and Catherine passed a few years later. Porter devoted his life to the citizens of Dover. A provision in his will allotted the sum of $1000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover and a collection of books to be housed within.
In 1884, Leonard Porter willed the sum of $1,000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover Township, Ohio (which became Westlake Township in 1940, and the City of Westlake in 1957) and a collection of books to be housed within. Circulation records date back to 1893,(taken from Westlake Ohio Historical Society papers)
In 1884, Leonard Porter willed the sum of $1,000 to the establishment of a public library in Dover Township, Ohio (which became Westlake Township in 1940, and the City of Westlake in 1957) and a collection of books to be housed within. Circulation records date back to 1893,(taken from Westlake Ohio Historical Society papers)
