The Life of HENRY KIRKE PORTER

Henry Kirke Porter was an American businessman and Representative of the United States Congress for Pennsylvania's 31st congressional district.  He was born in Concord, New Hampshire. In 1860, he graduated from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He also helped found the YMCA that year. He attended the Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Center, Massachusetts.

In 1862, he enlisted in the 45th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and was mustered out in July 1863.

He continued his theological training at the Rochester Theological Seminary in Rochester, New York, but in 1866 he was given a gift of $20,000 by his father, which changed the course of his life. 

He invested that money with a partner, John Y. Smith, and formed the Smith & Porter Machine works. They opened a small shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which grew to become H. K. Porter, Inc. Porter served as president of the company. 

He was President of the Pittsburgh YMCA from 1868 - 1887, and was President of the Western Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind in 1904. He served in the United States House of Representatives in the 58th United States Congress from 1903 - 1905 as an Independent Republican. 

He continued as President of H. K. Porter, Inc. until his death at age 81 in Washington, DC.