My Genealogy Hound

ALBERT A. PORTER, merchant, post office Shousetown, was born in Leet township, Allegheny county, Pa., Sept. 27, 1845, a son of Nathan and Julia (Anderson) Porter. Nathan, a son of Caleb, was born in Westmoreland county and his wife in Washington county, Pa. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a daughter of Robert Anderson. Nathan was first an engineer on a steamboat, but afterward established the shipyards at Shousetown, in partnership with his brother, Ezra, and Samuel Shouse. The Porter brothers afterward purchased Mr. Shouse’s interest, and conducted the business alone until 1867, when Ezra Porter died. Nathan then conducted the business until 1870. Porter Brothers built many boats, the last being the Great Republic, the finest ship built in this part of the country. Nathan died in July, 1884. He and wife had two sons and one daughter: Albert A., Edmond H., on the homestead in Shousetown, and Clara E., wife of Ephraim Langfit, a farmer in Beaver county. Albert A. was educated in Shousetown and Pittsburgh, finishing his education in the latter place. He first worked a year in a boatyard with his father, when he accepted the position of clerk on his uncle’s boat, the Glide No. 3. He also acted as clerk on the steamers Savannah and Gleaner, from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati and St. Louis, also two years on the boat Economist on the Arkansas river. In 1873 he opened a general store in Shousetown, which he still continues, and carries a stock valued at $5,000. He married at Pittsburgh, in October, 1875, Ada McKee, who was born in Pittsburgh, a daughter of John and Catherine (Van Hook) McKee. Her father was a glass manufacturer of Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have two sons: David Ross and Edwin Forrest. Mrs. Porter is a member of the M. E. Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Dexter Lodge, 723.