Please see wife Martha Alvord Snell's memorial page for their interesting life and a list of their children.
=================================
Some notes for Moses-
From "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1907-
"The first practicing physician for that section of the county (Frankfort), was one Dr. Moses Porter, who had settled over in Hadley, in Homer Township, Will Co., IL, but the first resident physician was Dr. W. P. Holden, who came there in 1832 or 1833, and settled on the south side of the township."
Frankfort was part of a quickly changing group of villages, twps and counties around early Chicago. The counties of Will and Kane, that came off Cook County, were only formed in 1836. The 'areas' of Homer, Orland & Frankfort were only later organized into twps- Homer Twp in Will Co., Orland Twp in Cook Co., and Frankfort in Will.
These areas from then to now could be listed by their current associations/locations or their old ones.
=================================
From: History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, by Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1881-
"From 1852 to 1855, very little progress was made in the settlement of the then frontier town (Waterford) . It was the home of the "red man," with now and then a "pale-face." The Indians were friendly, but a constant source of annoyance from their begging propensities. A few settlers came in 1853 and 1854, but in 1855, they came in fast, and it was not long before all the available land in the town was claimed."
1855- "Of those who came in 1855, we find .....Dr. Moses Porter.....John Simpson (Moses & Martha's son in law)...." (But we now know Moses & Martha left to follow dau Sarah & John3 Simpson to MN, on May 12, 1856 not 1855).
"Dr. Porter made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 19 (of Waterford Twp.) He followed the practice of medicine until near his death, which occurred about four years since." (Actually 6 years before this was written in 1882).
===============================
Dr. Moses' obituary from the Rice County Journal pub. May 3, 1876--
Dr. Moses Porter, of Waterford, departed this life at the ripe age of seventy-six years and six months. He was a native of Hadley, Massachusetts.
After completing his studies under the instruction of Drs. Goodhue, of Hadley, and Cogswell, of Hartford, Connecticut, he was graduated by the medical college at Castleton, Vermont.
He successfully pursued his profession, first in his native town, then in Brookfield, where he married Miss Snell, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Snell, pastor of the congregational church in that town, which office Dr. Snell held with distinguished ability for more than fifty years.
Dr. Porter's medical services were sought again in his native town, where he returned and remained in the practice of his profession till 1834, when he, and his family, removed to Illinois, and continued his practice there till 1856. This year, attracted by the salubrity of our Minnesota climate, he became a resident of Waterford and formed a partnership with Dr. Nichols, and continued in the discharge of the duties of his profession till 1870.
Age and a pulmonary affection with which he had been afflicted for years now laid him aside from the active public duties in which he had so long and successfully been engaged.
The last six years of his life were spent in the quiet of his home, rendered genial and joyous by the presence and attention of the one, who in her youth, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, gave him her heart and hand for life. It was beautiful to hear him so tenderly express his appreciation of her wise and assiduous care. All seemed bright sunshine in his domestic life.
Though he saw not a well day the last eleven years, yet he was not a great sufferer, as his life wore away under the influence of that insidious disease, consumption.
As his end approached, he partly raised himself on his dying couch, and the last office of love performed by Mrs. Porter was, with her own hands, gently to lay him back on his pillow, when without a struggle or a groan, he left her and all he loved on earth for the society of heaven.
Dr. Porter possessed very many of the excellences of manly character. He was a man of mark, and had much influence over the minds of others. He was highly esteemed in the large circle of his acquaintance. Mrs. Porter, with the members of the bereaved family, share the sincere sympathy of the community among whom they have lived the last twenty years.
At the early age of sixteen Dr. Porter made a public confession of his faith in Christ as his savior. For sixty years he walked in loving fellowship with the people of God, the people of his choice.
He was educated a Congregationalist, and lived and died in communion with this branch of Christ’s church. But he bore a sincere love to all God's dear people. Dr. Porter was a praying man. He learned to pray because he loved prayer.
He was an intelligent Christian. While he loved and practiced the practical duties of his religion, he also loved the doctrines of God's word. He made these his study, the influence of which was to cause his faith to grow exceedingly. In these divine teachings in connection with the promises of God, he found a solid basis, a sure support, enabling him to say, "I know whom I have believed." It was this which made his Christian hope so constantly bright and clear. He lived by faith on the son of God.
He adored his profession.
The last years of his life were his best and most happy years. As disease and decay came upon him, he joyfully remarked, he was so glad that he had not now the great work of life to perform. He felt that he was prepared and ready to go at God's bidding. And thus, with serene and assured trust, with great peace in his soul, he patiently and joyously waited the call to go up on high to be with the master and behold his glory.
Dr. & Mrs. Porter lived on the Ferlen farm - they built the big white house which still stands.
(See also the Howland history in the Waterford 1970 history book, pages 39-40).
=================================
Some notes for Moses-
From "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1907-
"The first practicing physician for that section of the county (Frankfort), was one Dr. Moses Porter, who had settled over in Hadley, in Homer Township, Will Co., IL, but the first resident physician was Dr. W. P. Holden, who came there in 1832 or 1833, and settled on the south side of the township."
Frankfort was part of a quickly changing group of villages, twps and counties around early Chicago. The counties of Will and Kane, that came off Cook County, were only formed in 1836. The 'areas' of Homer, Orland & Frankfort were only later organized into twps- Homer Twp in Will Co., Orland Twp in Cook Co., and Frankfort in Will.
These areas from then to now could be listed by their current associations/locations or their old ones.
=================================
From: History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, by Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1881-
"From 1852 to 1855, very little progress was made in the settlement of the then frontier town (Waterford) . It was the home of the "red man," with now and then a "pale-face." The Indians were friendly, but a constant source of annoyance from their begging propensities. A few settlers came in 1853 and 1854, but in 1855, they came in fast, and it was not long before all the available land in the town was claimed."
1855- "Of those who came in 1855, we find .....Dr. Moses Porter.....John Simpson (Moses & Martha's son in law)...." (But we now know Moses & Martha left to follow dau Sarah & John3 Simpson to MN, on May 12, 1856 not 1855).
"Dr. Porter made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 19 (of Waterford Twp.) He followed the practice of medicine until near his death, which occurred about four years since." (Actually 6 years before this was written in 1882).
===============================
Dr. Moses' obituary from the Rice County Journal pub. May 3, 1876--
Dr. Moses Porter, of Waterford, departed this life at the ripe age of seventy-six years and six months. He was a native of Hadley, Massachusetts.
After completing his studies under the instruction of Drs. Goodhue, of Hadley, and Cogswell, of Hartford, Connecticut, he was graduated by the medical college at Castleton, Vermont.
He successfully pursued his profession, first in his native town, then in Brookfield, where he married Miss Snell, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Snell, pastor of the congregational church in that town, which office Dr. Snell held with distinguished ability for more than fifty years.
Dr. Porter's medical services were sought again in his native town, where he returned and remained in the practice of his profession till 1834, when he, and his family, removed to Illinois, and continued his practice there till 1856. This year, attracted by the salubrity of our Minnesota climate, he became a resident of Waterford and formed a partnership with Dr. Nichols, and continued in the discharge of the duties of his profession till 1870.
Age and a pulmonary affection with which he had been afflicted for years now laid him aside from the active public duties in which he had so long and successfully been engaged.
The last six years of his life were spent in the quiet of his home, rendered genial and joyous by the presence and attention of the one, who in her youth, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, gave him her heart and hand for life. It was beautiful to hear him so tenderly express his appreciation of her wise and assiduous care. All seemed bright sunshine in his domestic life.
Though he saw not a well day the last eleven years, yet he was not a great sufferer, as his life wore away under the influence of that insidious disease, consumption.
As his end approached, he partly raised himself on his dying couch, and the last office of love performed by Mrs. Porter was, with her own hands, gently to lay him back on his pillow, when without a struggle or a groan, he left her and all he loved on earth for the society of heaven.
Dr. Porter possessed very many of the excellences of manly character. He was a man of mark, and had much influence over the minds of others. He was highly esteemed in the large circle of his acquaintance. Mrs. Porter, with the members of the bereaved family, share the sincere sympathy of the community among whom they have lived the last twenty years.
At the early age of sixteen Dr. Porter made a public confession of his faith in Christ as his savior. For sixty years he walked in loving fellowship with the people of God, the people of his choice.
He was educated a Congregationalist, and lived and died in communion with this branch of Christ’s church. But he bore a sincere love to all God's dear people. Dr. Porter was a praying man. He learned to pray because he loved prayer.
He was an intelligent Christian. While he loved and practiced the practical duties of his religion, he also loved the doctrines of God's word. He made these his study, the influence of which was to cause his faith to grow exceedingly. In these divine teachings in connection with the promises of God, he found a solid basis, a sure support, enabling him to say, "I know whom I have believed." It was this which made his Christian hope so constantly bright and clear. He lived by faith on the son of God.
He adored his profession.
The last years of his life were his best and most happy years. As disease and decay came upon him, he joyfully remarked, he was so glad that he had not now the great work of life to perform. He felt that he was prepared and ready to go at God's bidding. And thus, with serene and assured trust, with great peace in his soul, he patiently and joyously waited the call to go up on high to be with the master and behold his glory.
Dr. & Mrs. Porter lived on the Ferlen farm - they built the big white house which still stands.
(See also the Howland history in the Waterford 1970 history book, pages 39-40).
Please see wife Martha Alvord Snell's memorial page for their interesting life and a list of their children.
=================================
Some notes for Moses-
From "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1907-
"The first practicing physician for that section of the county (Frankfort), was one Dr. Moses Porter, who had settled over in Hadley, in Homer Township, Will Co., IL, but the first resident physician was Dr. W. P. Holden, who came there in 1832 or 1833, and settled on the south side of the township."
Frankfort was part of a quickly changing group of villages, twps and counties around early Chicago. The counties of Will and Kane, that came off Cook County, were only formed in 1836. The 'areas' of Homer, Orland & Frankfort were only later organized into twps- Homer Twp in Will Co., Orland Twp in Cook Co., and Frankfort in Will.
These areas from then to now could be listed by their current associations/locations or their old ones.
=================================
From: History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, by Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1881-
"From 1852 to 1855, very little progress was made in the settlement of the then frontier town (Waterford) . It was the home of the "red man," with now and then a "pale-face." The Indians were friendly, but a constant source of annoyance from their begging propensities. A few settlers came in 1853 and 1854, but in 1855, they came in fast, and it was not long before all the available land in the town was claimed."
1855- "Of those who came in 1855, we find .....Dr. Moses Porter.....John Simpson (Moses & Martha's son in law)...." (But we now know Moses & Martha left to follow dau Sarah & John3 Simpson to MN, on May 12, 1856 not 1855).
"Dr. Porter made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 19 (of Waterford Twp.) He followed the practice of medicine until near his death, which occurred about four years since." (Actually 6 years before this was written in 1882).
===============================
Dr. Moses' obituary from the Rice County Journal pub. May 3, 1876--
Dr. Moses Porter, of Waterford, departed this life at the ripe age of seventy-six years and six months. He was a native of Hadley, Massachusetts.
After completing his studies under the instruction of Drs. Goodhue, of Hadley, and Cogswell, of Hartford, Connecticut, he was graduated by the medical college at Castleton, Vermont.
He successfully pursued his profession, first in his native town, then in Brookfield, where he married Miss Snell, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Snell, pastor of the congregational church in that town, which office Dr. Snell held with distinguished ability for more than fifty years.
Dr. Porter's medical services were sought again in his native town, where he returned and remained in the practice of his profession till 1834, when he, and his family, removed to Illinois, and continued his practice there till 1856. This year, attracted by the salubrity of our Minnesota climate, he became a resident of Waterford and formed a partnership with Dr. Nichols, and continued in the discharge of the duties of his profession till 1870.
Age and a pulmonary affection with which he had been afflicted for years now laid him aside from the active public duties in which he had so long and successfully been engaged.
The last six years of his life were spent in the quiet of his home, rendered genial and joyous by the presence and attention of the one, who in her youth, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, gave him her heart and hand for life. It was beautiful to hear him so tenderly express his appreciation of her wise and assiduous care. All seemed bright sunshine in his domestic life.
Though he saw not a well day the last eleven years, yet he was not a great sufferer, as his life wore away under the influence of that insidious disease, consumption.
As his end approached, he partly raised himself on his dying couch, and the last office of love performed by Mrs. Porter was, with her own hands, gently to lay him back on his pillow, when without a struggle or a groan, he left her and all he loved on earth for the society of heaven.
Dr. Porter possessed very many of the excellences of manly character. He was a man of mark, and had much influence over the minds of others. He was highly esteemed in the large circle of his acquaintance. Mrs. Porter, with the members of the bereaved family, share the sincere sympathy of the community among whom they have lived the last twenty years.
At the early age of sixteen Dr. Porter made a public confession of his faith in Christ as his savior. For sixty years he walked in loving fellowship with the people of God, the people of his choice.
He was educated a Congregationalist, and lived and died in communion with this branch of Christ’s church. But he bore a sincere love to all God's dear people. Dr. Porter was a praying man. He learned to pray because he loved prayer.
He was an intelligent Christian. While he loved and practiced the practical duties of his religion, he also loved the doctrines of God's word. He made these his study, the influence of which was to cause his faith to grow exceedingly. In these divine teachings in connection with the promises of God, he found a solid basis, a sure support, enabling him to say, "I know whom I have believed." It was this which made his Christian hope so constantly bright and clear. He lived by faith on the son of God.
He adored his profession.
The last years of his life were his best and most happy years. As disease and decay came upon him, he joyfully remarked, he was so glad that he had not now the great work of life to perform. He felt that he was prepared and ready to go at God's bidding. And thus, with serene and assured trust, with great peace in his soul, he patiently and joyously waited the call to go up on high to be with the master and behold his glory.
Dr. & Mrs. Porter lived on the Ferlen farm - they built the big white house which still stands.
(See also the Howland history in the Waterford 1970 history book, pages 39-40).
=================================
Some notes for Moses-
From "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1907-
"The first practicing physician for that section of the county (Frankfort), was one Dr. Moses Porter, who had settled over in Hadley, in Homer Township, Will Co., IL, but the first resident physician was Dr. W. P. Holden, who came there in 1832 or 1833, and settled on the south side of the township."
Frankfort was part of a quickly changing group of villages, twps and counties around early Chicago. The counties of Will and Kane, that came off Cook County, were only formed in 1836. The 'areas' of Homer, Orland & Frankfort were only later organized into twps- Homer Twp in Will Co., Orland Twp in Cook Co., and Frankfort in Will.
These areas from then to now could be listed by their current associations/locations or their old ones.
=================================
From: History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, by Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1881-
"From 1852 to 1855, very little progress was made in the settlement of the then frontier town (Waterford) . It was the home of the "red man," with now and then a "pale-face." The Indians were friendly, but a constant source of annoyance from their begging propensities. A few settlers came in 1853 and 1854, but in 1855, they came in fast, and it was not long before all the available land in the town was claimed."
1855- "Of those who came in 1855, we find .....Dr. Moses Porter.....John Simpson (Moses & Martha's son in law)...." (But we now know Moses & Martha left to follow dau Sarah & John3 Simpson to MN, on May 12, 1856 not 1855).
"Dr. Porter made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 19 (of Waterford Twp.) He followed the practice of medicine until near his death, which occurred about four years since." (Actually 6 years before this was written in 1882).
===============================
Dr. Moses' obituary from the Rice County Journal pub. May 3, 1876--
Dr. Moses Porter, of Waterford, departed this life at the ripe age of seventy-six years and six months. He was a native of Hadley, Massachusetts.
After completing his studies under the instruction of Drs. Goodhue, of Hadley, and Cogswell, of Hartford, Connecticut, he was graduated by the medical college at Castleton, Vermont.
He successfully pursued his profession, first in his native town, then in Brookfield, where he married Miss Snell, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Snell, pastor of the congregational church in that town, which office Dr. Snell held with distinguished ability for more than fifty years.
Dr. Porter's medical services were sought again in his native town, where he returned and remained in the practice of his profession till 1834, when he, and his family, removed to Illinois, and continued his practice there till 1856. This year, attracted by the salubrity of our Minnesota climate, he became a resident of Waterford and formed a partnership with Dr. Nichols, and continued in the discharge of the duties of his profession till 1870.
Age and a pulmonary affection with which he had been afflicted for years now laid him aside from the active public duties in which he had so long and successfully been engaged.
The last six years of his life were spent in the quiet of his home, rendered genial and joyous by the presence and attention of the one, who in her youth, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, gave him her heart and hand for life. It was beautiful to hear him so tenderly express his appreciation of her wise and assiduous care. All seemed bright sunshine in his domestic life.
Though he saw not a well day the last eleven years, yet he was not a great sufferer, as his life wore away under the influence of that insidious disease, consumption.
As his end approached, he partly raised himself on his dying couch, and the last office of love performed by Mrs. Porter was, with her own hands, gently to lay him back on his pillow, when without a struggle or a groan, he left her and all he loved on earth for the society of heaven.
Dr. Porter possessed very many of the excellences of manly character. He was a man of mark, and had much influence over the minds of others. He was highly esteemed in the large circle of his acquaintance. Mrs. Porter, with the members of the bereaved family, share the sincere sympathy of the community among whom they have lived the last twenty years.
At the early age of sixteen Dr. Porter made a public confession of his faith in Christ as his savior. For sixty years he walked in loving fellowship with the people of God, the people of his choice.
He was educated a Congregationalist, and lived and died in communion with this branch of Christ’s church. But he bore a sincere love to all God's dear people. Dr. Porter was a praying man. He learned to pray because he loved prayer.
He was an intelligent Christian. While he loved and practiced the practical duties of his religion, he also loved the doctrines of God's word. He made these his study, the influence of which was to cause his faith to grow exceedingly. In these divine teachings in connection with the promises of God, he found a solid basis, a sure support, enabling him to say, "I know whom I have believed." It was this which made his Christian hope so constantly bright and clear. He lived by faith on the son of God.
He adored his profession.
The last years of his life were his best and most happy years. As disease and decay came upon him, he joyfully remarked, he was so glad that he had not now the great work of life to perform. He felt that he was prepared and ready to go at God's bidding. And thus, with serene and assured trust, with great peace in his soul, he patiently and joyously waited the call to go up on high to be with the master and behold his glory.
Dr. & Mrs. Porter lived on the Ferlen farm - they built the big white house which still stands.
(See also the Howland history in the Waterford 1970 history book, pages 39-40).
Family Members
Siblings
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Benjamin Colt Porter
1792–1793
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Elizabeth Porter Smith
1794–1854
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![]()
Benjamin Porter
1795–1875
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![]()
Sophia Porter Hitchcock
1798–1841
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![]()
Susanna Edwards Porter
1804–1805
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Deacon Eleazer Porter
1806–1886
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![]()
Susan Porter Farnham
1808–1849
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![]()
Lucretia Colt Porter Snell
1810–1857
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![]()
Delia Dwight Porter
1812–1813
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![]()
Jonathan Edwards Porter
1815–1896
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![]()
Emily Porter Porter
1817–1856
