From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1323-1324
 
LESTER C. PORTER.  The true measure of individual success is determined by 
what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage 
that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is a 
particular interest attached to the career of the subject of this review, 
since he is a native son of Walworth county, where his entire life has been 
passed, and has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as 
one of the representative citizens of the vicinity, being a worthy scion of 
one of our sterling pioneer families.
 
Lester C. PORTER, the present popular and efficient postmaster at Fontana and 
a successful merchant there, was born in Walworth township, this county, 
August 22, 1858.  He is the son of Doric C. and Nancy J. (HANCHETT) PORTER, a 
complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work.
 
Mr. PORTER grew to manhood on his father's farm here and he made himself 
useful on the same during the crop seasons, attending the public schools in 
the winter time.  Later was a pupil in the Lake Geneva Seminary.  When he was 
about sixteen years old the family moved to the head of Lake Geneva and there 
the father founded Fontana Park and they lived there in the summer and in the 
city of Lake Geneva in the winter.
 
In 1883 the subject went to South Dakota and entered a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres of government land, on which he lived long enough to prove up 
and secure a title.  He then returned to Walworth county and took charge of 
Fontana Park, assisting his father for two years..
 
Mr. PORTER was married May 16, 1886, to Loretta J. HITCHCOCK, daughter of Amos 
H. and Maria (BROWN) HITCHCOCK.  After his marriage he farmed for two years on 
the old homestead in Walworth township and from there moved to Fontana and has 
been there ever since.  In the fall of 1902 he entered the general mercantile 
business at Fontana, which he still continues, having built up a large and 
growing trade with the surrounding country, carrying a complete and carefully 
selected stock of goods and by his honest and courteous treatment he has won a 
host of friends among his customers.

Mr. PORTER has long manifested a lively interest in public affairs, and in 
1904 he was appointed postmaster at Fontana, which office he still holds, 
discharging his duty in a manner that reflects credit upon himself and to the 
satisfaction of the people and the department at Washington.  He was township 
treasurer of Walworth township for two years, 1892 and 1893.  He also served 
two years on the board of supervisors.
 
Five children, two sons and three daughters, have been born to the subject and 
wife, named as follows: Ima, who was graduated from the Walworth high school, 
has been teaching in the public schools for some time; Doric C., Jr., was 
graduated from the Walworth high school and is now in his third year at the 
State University at Madison; Amos D. is in the store with his father; Helen 
Clara and Rachael are both at home with their parents.
 
Fraternally, Mr. PORTER is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen 
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also several other orders.  He is a 
public spirited man, a good neighbor, honest and generous of heart.
 
Submitted by Carol