Surnames in the biography are: Port, Canton, Vickery, Long, Baird, Teeter,
Lamberson
DAVID PORT
The present solid prosperity and the progressive spirit which is so
characteristic of this great republic is in a very large measure due to the
injection into our national life of the blood of Ireland in the person of her
sons and daughters who have come here in the hope of escaping from conditions
which were galling and oppressive. The qualities which have characterized the
natives of the Emerald Isle have enabled these emigrants under the more
favorable conditions in the United States to attain to the most exalted
stations in business, learning and the arts and sciences, and they are
considered among the most active and progressive of the citizens of this
great country. The immediate subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland,
having been born near Belfast. His parents were Samuel and Eliza A. (Canton)
Port. The Port family is originally from France, but migrated from that
country to Ireland and their descendants have made their homes in America.
The subject's grandfather on the maternal side was a surgeon in the noted
Irish Rebellion and was descended from Lord 0'Neal. Samuel Port, the father
of the subject, emigrated from Ireland in 1839 and at once located in Fayette
county, Indiana. When he had come as far as Cincinnati, Ohio, he found
himself with but ten cents in his pocket and a family of eight children to
care for. He had learned the weaver's trade in Ireland, though upon settling
in this country he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was industrious and
saved his money and was subsequently able to buy a quarter section of land,
situated one mine north of Waterloo, in Fayette County. Here he settled and
resided a number of years, and being energetic and ambitious, lived to see
this tract cleared up and improved. He also kept a hotel for a number of
years, which is remembered as one of the pioneer institutions of that county,
from which he received a source of income. The hotel was known as the Drovers
and Movers home for many years during the early history of that country, and
was very popular and liberally patronized. He subsequently disposed of his
possessions near. Waterloo and purchased a farm two miles north of
Bentonville, on which he settled, and afterward resided until death, which
occurred in 1859. He was highly respected and was known far and wide. He was
the father of nine children, eight of whom were born in Ireland, and of this
family the subject is the only survivor. He had been fairly prosperous and at
his death was worth about twelve thousand dollars. Politically he was a
Democrat and in religion was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
David Port was reared upon his father's farm and had but little opportunity
to secure an education. He remained under the parental roof until he had
attained his majority. After his marriage he resided upon his father's farm
near Bentonville for three years and in 1867 came to Henry County, locating
upon a farm. He now possessed one hundred and ten acres of land and was
successful in the operation of the farm. Besides the operation of the farm
Mr. Port also engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock and found this
a very profitable source of income. During the fall of 1902, Mr. Port and
wife moved to Dublin, Indiana, where they now reside in retirement, enjoying
the fruits of their many years toil. On the 10th of October 1858, David Port
was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Martha J. Vickery. She was
born in Rush County, this state, April 19, 1837, and is the daughter of
Salathiel and Sarah (Long) Vickery. She is of Irish Welsh extraction. Her
grandfather Long was a native of Virginia, and removed from that state to
Ohio, thence to Indiana in 1820. He was an extensive contractor and
constructed about three miles of the National road from Lewisville westward.
He was a well-known and prominent man and was elected to the Indiana
legislature. He was the father of nine children. To the marriage of the
subject and his wife there have been born four children, as follows: Lenna
A., married Clemment Baird and is now deceased; Samuel R. married Meda Teeter
and lives near Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana; Lizzie L. married Lagrove
Lamberson and lives in Dudley township, this county, and Maggie E., the
second in order of birth, died when about two years old. Politically the
subject is an ardent Democrat and has done much to advance the interests of
his party. Religiously the families are affiliated with the Christian church
and are active and earnest in their support of the same. Mr. Port enjoys a
splendid reputation as a successful farmer and an entrprising businessman,
being familiar with 17 the methods of agriculture such as the most scientific
and progressive farmers have adopted to make their living financially
remunerative. As a neighbor and citizen he occupies a desirable and
conspicuous place and all who know him honor him for his many sterling
qualities of manhood.
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920