Porter, Troy, Sr.

Porter was born in Fayette County, KY, the son of Winnie Porter. The family of four was living in Paris, IL, in 1865 and are listed in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census. Porter became an engineer in the areas of plumbing and gas and steam fitting. He established his own business and was also appointed superintendent of the city water works in 1883. In 1885 he was the first African American to be elected town clerk of Paris. In 1880, Porter was the husband of Belle J. Porter, born 1855 in IN, and in 1900, he was the husband of Cora B. Porter, born 1873 in IN. For more see Afro-American Encyclopaedia: or, the thoughts..., by J. T. Haley [available full-text at UNC Documenting the American South website].