Charles H. Porter (mayor) facts for kids

Charles Hunt Porter was an American businessman and politician. He is best known for being the very first mayor of Quincy, Massachusetts.

Early Life and Military Service

Charles Hunt Porter was born on April 3, 1843, in Weymouth, Massachusetts. When he was just six weeks old, his family moved to Quincy, Massachusetts. He lived in Quincy for the rest of his life.

Charles went to grammar and high school in Quincy. After school, he started working in the insurance business. On July 1, 1862, he joined the Union Army. He served for three years during the American Civil War in the 39th Massachusetts Regiment. He left the army as a captain. Later, he was given an honorary title of lieutenant colonel.

Business Career and Baseball

After the war, Porter went back to the insurance business. He worked with a company called W. Porter & Co. and later became a partner. He also helped lead other companies. He was a director at Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and a trustee at Quincy Savings Bank. He was also a director and president of the Quincy Water Co.

Charles Porter was also involved in professional baseball! He was the president of the Boston Red Stockings team. This team was part of the National League. He was president from 1873 to 1874. During his time, the team even traveled to England for a tour.

In 1900, Porter tried to help bring a new baseball team to Boston. This team would be part of the new American League. His group almost got a deal for the team to play in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But another group stepped in. The Boston team that would become the Boston Red Sox joined the American League in 1901.

Porter also cared about education. He was on the board for the Adams Academy school. He served there from 1871 until 1888.

Political Career

Charles Porter was active in local government in Quincy. From 1879 to 1880, he was a member of the Quincy board of selectmen. These are like local town council members.

From 1881 to 1882, he represented Quincy and Weymouth in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This is part of the state government.

In 1888, something big happened in Quincy. The city held its very first mayoral election. Charles Porter was elected as the first Mayor of Quincy! He also served on Quincy's school committee for seven years. He was also part of the first group to plan parks in Quincy.

Porter also worked for the state government. He was a member of the state board of health. This was during the time that Roger Wolcott and Curtis Guild Jr. were governors. In 1899, he was appointed to the state civil service commission. This group helps make sure government jobs are given fairly. In 1910, Governor Eben Sumner Draper asked him to join a special group. This group looked into how to care for people with tuberculosis.

Later Life

In the spring of 1910, Charles Porter had an operation. After this, his health started to get worse. He passed away on August 10, 1911, at his home in Quincy.