Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/401

 PORTERFIELD

PORTIER

and in 1824 learned the printers' trade in Andover, Mass. He was editor of the Farmers' Herald at St. Johnsbury, Vt., 1829-30; associate editor of Tlie Enquirer at Norwich. Conn., in 1880, and was foreman in a printing-office in New York city, 1830-32, Horace Greeley being one of his com- positors. In 1831 he established and edited, with James How, The Sjoirit of the Times, the first American sporting publication, later combined with T7ie Traveler as The Traveler and the Sjiiritof the Times, and again appearing in 1835 under its first title. In the meantime he was editor of the Aew Yorker and the Constellation, 1832, and of the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine, 1839-44, when it ceased to be published. In 185G he established, with George Wilkes, Porter's Spirit of the Times. He had in preparation a biography of Henry William Herbert (Frank Forester), and edited: " The Big Bear of Arkan- sas and Other Tales" (1835); "A Quarter Race in Kentucky and Other Sketches " (1846); and "Major T. B. Thorpe's Scenes in Arkansas and Other Sketches " (1859); all of which were first printed in his papers, and an American edition of Col. Peter Hawker's "Instructions to Young Sportsmen" (1846). See "Life of William T, Porter," by Francis Brin ley (1860). He died in New York city, July 20, 1858.

PORTERFIELD, Charles, soldier, was born in Frederick county, Va., in 1750; son of William Porterfield, who emigrated from England and settled in Pennsylvania early in the eighteenth century. He enlisted in the first military com- pany organized in 1775 in Frederick county to defend the patriot cause, Daniel Morgan being captain; joined Washington's army at Cam- bridge, Mass., and was with Colonel Arnold in the expedition against Quebec. In the disastrous assault on that city he was taken prisoner inside the fort Dec. 31, 1775, but was exchanged and again joined the army Feb. 3, 1777, serving as captain in Morgan's Rifles, 1777-78. He was made major, July 13, 1778, serving in Woodford's brigade; was transferred to the 7th Virginia regiment, Sept. 14, 1778, and resigned from the service, July 2, 1779. On Aug. 14, 1779, he was appointed by Governor Jefferson lieutenant- colonel of a Virginia state regiment organized largely through his own efforts, and proceeded to Charleston, S.C, in the spring of 1780. At the battle near Camden, S.C, Aug. 16, 1780, where he commanded a part of the advance guard of General Gates's army, he was severely wounded, taken prisoner, and after ten days, having meanwhile received no medical atten- tion, submitted to the amputation of his leg, and was paroled. His death, resulting from the effects of his injury, occurred on the Santee river, S.C, in October, 1780.

PORTERFIELD, Robert, soldier, was born in Frederick county, Va., Feb. 22, 1752; brother of Charles Porterfield (q.v.). He was appointed 2d lieutenant in the Uth Virginia regiment, Dec. 24, 1776; served in Colonel Daniel Morgan's com- pany through the campaigns of 1777-79; was promoted 1st lieutenant June 1, 1777; adjutant April 19, 1778; was transferred to the 7th Vir- ginia regiment Sept. 14, 1778, and served as aide to General William Woodford, 1778-79, taking part in the battles of Brandy wine, Germantown and Monmouth. He was promoted captain-lieu- tenant, July 2, 1779; captain, Aug. 16, 1779, and in December, 1779, accompanied General William Woodford to Charleston, S.C, where he took part in the defence of that city, and on its fall surrendered as a prisoner of war, May 12, 1780. He was exchanged and transferred to the 2d Virginia regiment Feb. 12, 1781, where he served until the end of the war. He was married to Rebecca Farrer of Amelia county; removed to Augusta county, Va., in 1783, and settled on a farm which he called "Soldier's Retreat." He was a brigadier-general in the Virginia militia during the war of 1812. He was justice of the peace for half a century, and served as high sheriff for two terms. He died in Augusta county, Va., Feb. 13, 1843.

PORTIER, Michael, R.C bishop, was born in Montbrison, France, Sept. 7, 1795. He was pre- paring for the priesthood in the Seminary of Lyons, when he was induced by Bishop Dubourg to come to the United States, and he landed at Annapolis, Md., Sept. 4, 1817. He finished his studies in St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, Md., and was ordained priest in St. Louis's cathedral by Bishop Dubourg in June, 1818. He established a school on the Lancasterian system; was made vicar-general of the diocese, and on the division of the diocese in 1825, vicar-apostolic of Alabama, Florida and Arkansas, being consecrated bishop of " Olena," l_p.z., in St. Louis's cathedral, Nov. 5, 1826, by Bishop Rosati. One church in Pensa- cola and one in St. Augustine constituted his entire equipment; and three priests, his only assistants, were soon after taken from him, his poverty even depriving him of suitable vest- ments. He made his visitations to Pensacola, Tallahassee and St. Augustine on horseback, and through preaching and instruction, both in Eng- lish and Spanish, built up the neglected parishes and induced Bishop England to give him a priest for the people in East Florida. He also visited Europe, where he obtained money, priests and students for service among his people. He was given the administration of the see of Mobile. Ala., created May 15. 1829, during his absence in Europe; organized parishes; built five churches in different cities, and in 1830 founded Spring