California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


R. PORTER PUTNAM. Conspicuous among the early pioneers of Tulare county was 
the late R. Porter Putnam, who settled near Portersville when the town was in its infancy, and 
resided here until his death. With pleasure and gratification he watched its rapid and healthful 
development, in the meantime taking an active part in the work necessary to accomplish such 
an achievement. He became identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the county, 
and was the pioneer merchant of the young town. which in his honor was named Portersville. He 
came of distinguished New England ancestry, being a kinsman of Gen. Israel Putnam, a hero 
of the Revolutionary war. His parents, Thomas and Zilpha (Porter) Putnam, were life-long 
residents of Pennsylvania, and there reared their five children, of whom R. Porter was the young- 
est, his birth occurring August 5, 1837, in Covington, Pa. 

At the age of eighteen years, having acquired an excellent common school education. R. Por- 
ter Putnam took charge of his father's store, in Covington, Pa., remaining thus employed for two 
years. In 1857 he started with a train of government wagons for California, and while cross- 
ing the plains did guard duty. Being taken ill while on the way, the party continued the journey 
without him. leaving him lying under a tree. The Indians were very kind, bringing him wa- 
ter, and watching him carefully,, but not offering to molest him. Being picked up by the 
next train that came along, Mr. Putnam went with that party to Fort Yuma, at the junction of 
the Gila and Colorado rivers, and as soon as he was able, made his way to Los Angeles, Cal., 
arriving October 14, 1858. For a few weeks he worked on Colonel Banning's ranch as a day lab- 
orer. On December 3 he started with the Overland Stage Company for the Kern river, coming 
to Tulare county, and locating about ten miles from Visalia. Unable on account of ill health to 
do any hard manual labor, Mr. Putnam entered the employ of the stage company, receiving $30 
a month. Locating in what is now Portersville in 1859, he built a small store and hotel, which 
became a meeting place for the cowboys, who invariably spoke of going up to "Porter's," and the 
name thus became so familiar that when the town was laid out and incorporated it was called Por- 
tersville in his honor. Mr. Putnam also erected a blacksmith's shop, and was engaged in general 
ranching, owning some land in his vicinity. As a merchant he was very popular and successful, 
and carried on an extensive dry goods business until his death, in 1889. 

In Bainbridge, Chenango county, N. Y., Mr. Putnam married Mary J. Packard, a native of 
that state, and the daughter of Anson Packard, a blacksmith and a life-long resident of the Em- 
pire State. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Putnam two children were born, namely : William 
Porter, of Portersville ; and Frank O., a general merchant in Campbell, Cal. Identified with the 
Democratic party, Mr. Putnam was one of the most faithful supporters of its principles, and 
though not an aspirant for political honors served one term as associate judge.