California Biographies, Santa Cruz County
HON. WARREN R. PORTER. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 

HON. WARREN R. PORTER. 

While fortuitous circumstances may bring temporary prominence, yet permanent success presages ability, energy 
and an honorable ambition, and it is to the possession of these attributes that Ex-Lieutenant-Governor Porter owes his 
commercial standing, his political pre-eminence and his social popularity. Wise parental influence inspired his early 
youth. The inestimable blessing of a judicious father and a cultured mother was his, yet it may be asserted con- 
fidently that, under an environment less congenial, he would have emerged into the limelight of an assured success. From 
boyhood he has been intensely loyal to the progress of California. This was not merely the loyalty of the patriot to the 
state of his nativity, but in addition it was the loyalty of a progressive citizen inspired by the wonderful possibilities of 
his commonwealth and enthused by its genial climate, fertile soil and open-hearted people. The hopes of his boyhood have 
not drifted into the sea of oblivion, but have met with a rich fruition in the rise of California to a position among the 
leading states of the Union. 

Born in Santa Cruz, March 30, 1861, Warren R. Porter is the only son of the late John T. Porter, a man who unaided 
by others worked his way upward from humble labor to the ownership of large landed holdings and the presidency of 
one of the leading financial institutions of his part of the state. This example before him, the pioneer's son had every 
incentive for study. He availed himself of the excellent advantages offered by St. Augustine College at Benicia, this 
state, and on his return home secured employment as a bookkeeper in the Bank of Watsonville, founded by his father. 
During 1884 he was chosen bookkeeper for the Loma Prieta Lumber Company at Watsonville and two years later he be- 
came secretary of the concern. When the headquarters of the company were removed to Loma Prieta he went to that 
village and continued the management of the business affairs. While he returned to Watsonville in 1899 he did not resign 
as secretary of the company until June, 1901, and since then he has remained a member of the board of directors. 

Upon the incorporation of the Pajaro Valley Bank at Watsonville Mr. Porter was chosen a member of the board of di- 
rectors and upon the death of his father in 1900 he succeeded him as president, since which time the financial policy of the 
institution has been guided by his progressive spirit and shaped by his sagacious judgment. Throughout the valley 
the bank has gained a reputation for soundness, conservatism, wise investments and courteous consideration of all, 
and this reputation is in large part due to the intelligent supervision of the Porters, father and son, assisted by a 
corps of painstaking officials and directors. For some years after the elder Porter died the estate was conducted by War- 
ren R., as vice-president and manager of an incorporated company, and his wise oversight proved of the greatest as- 
sistance to the heirs. In addition to many other interests he found leisure to investigate lands and from time to time he 
made purchases, until lie acquired holdings in every county comprising the sixth congressional district. The manage- 
ment of his vast interests does not tax his energies, however. On the contrary, he has found leisure for participa- 
tion in county and state political affairs and has also been prominent in society and in various fraternities. On the 
organization of the Watsonville Parlor No 65, Native Sons of the Golden West, he became a charter member and after- 
ward was honored with the office of president. In addition to being a member of the local blue lodge of Masonry he is as- 
sociated with Watsonville Commandery No. 22, K. T., and ever has been stanch in his allegiance to the principles of 
charity and kindness represented by the order. 

The marriage of Mr. Porter was solemnized August 23, 1893, and united him with Miss Mary E., daughter of Rev. Gr. 
A. Easton, rector of St. Mark's Episcopal church at Berkeley. They became the parents of the following-named children; 
John Easton ; Warren R., Jr., who died at the age of fourteen months; Mary Frances and Thomas B. From boyhood Mr. 
Porter was an enthusiastic defender of Republican principles. At an early age he had been taught by his father concerning 
the various parties and their platforms, hence he maintained an intelligent interest from youth. For many years he has 
been prominent in his party. In 1900 he was a presidential elector and an alternate delegate to the national Republican 
convention at Philadelphia. His political prominence led to his appointment by Governor Gage as a member of the board 
of state prison directors and this appointment, tendered in June of 1901, was received by his friends with the heartiest 
approval. Further political honors awaited him as a result of duties intelligently performed and in 1906 he was honored 
with the office of lieutenant-governor of California, which position he filled four years. His election was received with 
enthusiasm throughout all of Central California, where he has hosts of warm friends and earnest political supporters.