Success in the meat business has not come to Matthew S. Porter of Windom, Cottonwood county, without effort, for he knew at the outset of his career that he would have to work diligently for what he expected to achieve, and not "serenely fold his hands and wait."

Mr. Porter was born in Cresco, Iowa, March 21, 1869. He is a son of James Clark and Lydia (Alexander) Porter, natives of New York state and Ohio, respectively. They removed to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, about 1876, the father purchasing a quarter section of land in Lakeside township, where he developed a valuable farm, on which he continued to reside until within about three years of his death, when he retired and moved to Windom where his death occurred, as did also that of his wife. They were the parents of five children, namely: Genevra, Matthew S., the subject of this sketch; Clarence and Mabel, twins, the former deceased; and Stella. The parents of these children were members of the Methodist church.

Matthew S. Porter received his education in the public schools of Cottonwood county. He assisted hjs father with the general work on the home farm when he was a boy, then worked for H. M. Clark, a butcher in Windom, for a period of six years, then bought out his employer and has been engaged in business for himself since about 1895. He has a well-equipped market and is doing a large business with the people of Windom and vicinity. He has also dealt in farming lands for many years, and for about twelve years lived on a farm near town, operating his meat market from there.

Mr. Porter was married in June, 1895, to Annie Soule of Omaha, Nebraska, a daughter of Joseph Soule. This union has been without issue, but Mr. and Mrs. Porter adopted a son, Sherman Porter, in infancy, and are raising him.

Mr. Porter belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he is a member of the Methodist church.



� 2005 Cottonwood County Minnesota AHGP