LON M. PORTER, one of the leading and most artistic photographers in Washington, of which he is a native, was born June 24, 1858, a son of Hugh and Nancy Porter. Hugh was a carpenter by trade, and was married in 1855, in Washington county, where they were born. In 1863 Mr. Porter enlisted in Company A, Twenty second Pennsylvania Cavalry (Ringgold Battalion), went South with the regiment and died there of fever, at a place known as New Creek. His widow is still living in Washington. Lon M. Porter when a boy attended the Soldiers Orphan School, Uniontown. Penn., for five years, and then coming to Washington, learned the photographic art in the studio of John H. Rogers, later working for J. W. Rothwell. In 1878 he went to Pittsburgh, where he improved himself yet more in the art, in the far-famed gallery of Dabbs, remaining some time, and then proceeded to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, making an extended trip to the West and South before he returned to Washington. This was in April, 1883. Here for one year and a half he worked for S. G. Rogers, in the same establishment, where he had learned the business; then moved to Canonsburg, bought a gallery and carried on a profitable business there for six years. In the meantime he bought Mr. Rogers' studio in Washington, and for some months conducted both businesses, but since August, 1891, he has devoted his entire personal attention to his widely patronized, thoroughly equipped gallery at No.143 South Main street, in Washington. Mr. Porter is eminently qualified for his business, having had excellent training and varied experience. His work is of the best quality, and his patrons are among the first families of Washington and vicinity. Politically, he is a Republican, socially, a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter and a member of the Royal Arcanum. For several years he was a member of the National guards, belonging to the First Regiment of Philadelphia. His father died June 20, 1865, aged thirty-five, the mother is still living, aged fifty-five, while but one sister, Mrs. Andrew Brady, is living, her residence being at Cornwall, Penn. One brother who died April 4, 1892, lived in Allegheny City.

Text taken from page 298 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by George A. and Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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