Person:Josiah Porter (1)

Watchers
Josiah Whitfield Porter
m. 1 May 1856
  1. Sarah Ann Porter1856 - 1937
  2. William Porter1858 - 1931
  3. Elizabeth Porter1859 - 1939
  4. Mary Porter1861 - 1950
  5. Jane Porter1862 - 1894
  6. James Porter1865 - 1928
  7. Richard John Porter1867 - 1936
  8. Marion Porter1870 - 1936
  9. Phyles Porter1874 - 1962
  10. David Porter1875 - 1948
  11. Josiah Whitfield Porter1881 - 1965
  • HJosiah Whitfield Porter1881 - 1965
  • W.  Grace Saunders (add)
m. Abt 1913
Facts and Events
Name Josiah Whitfield Porter
Gender Male
Birth? 20 Apl 1881 Scarsdale, Victoria, Australia
Marriage Abt 1913 to Grace Saunders (add)
Death? 6 Apl 1965 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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JOSIAH, the youngest member of the Porter family, uncle Joe as he was known to many relatives, was born in Scarsdale on 20th April 1881.

In his young days he worked on the farm and had a keen interest in building. He was employed by the Penal Department in 1913 and soon after he married Grace Saunders. He was given the task to start up a reformatory prison farm between, Castlemaine and Maldon. This situation was four miles by road from Castlemaine. With the inmates observing his instructions he as responsible for the erection of the prison buildings and also the house which he and his wife would occupy. This latter, he virtually built on is own.

He and his family lived in this environment for several years in which time the settlement became a going concern and paid its way. For relaxation he would take his wife and children into Castlemaine on a Saturday night in the horse and buggy, bed the kids down at a friend’s place, and then with another couple would go to the local dance.

After his success at Castlemaine, he spent a short time as a senior warder at Pentridge and then transferred to Geelong as governor of the gaol there. After some two years he was posted to Beechworth as the Superintendent in Charge of the Beechworth Training Prison and spent some six very fulfilling years in that picturesque old mining town. His next promotion was to French Island as superintendent of the French Island Reformatory Prison. Unfortunately wives were not permitted at this location and it was necessary for him to commute to Beechworth initially and later to St. Kilda to be with his family. After nine years at French Island he retired and had served in the Penal Department for 33 years. Here is an excerpt from the presentation speech made at his retirement smoke night on 21 March, 1946:-

“Mr I.P. Miller, chairman of the Indeterminate Sentences Board, in making the presentation of a very handsome wallet of notes said it had been decided, when it became known of Mr Porter’s impending retirement, to give him a farewell he would remember for the rest of his life. He spoke of the untold value of his work in reforming men who were less fortunate in their way of life.

He quoted the instance of Mr Porter’s departure from French Island[1] recently when the inmates there congregated to bid him farewell, and even lined the pier there in token of esteem as he boarded the boat for the mainland for the last time. He said “It was a fine tribute to a fine gentleman”. He had built up a spirit which would remain at the island for many years to come. He mentioned that much home life had been sacrificed by Mr and Mrs Porter as a result of accepting the station at French’ Island, where Mr Porter had been superintendent for the past nine years. The “BOSS” as Mr Porter was far more familiarly known, had achieved remarkable results and now there were very many good citizens in the State who had good reason to remember him. Mr Miller expressed the esteem and-affection of everyone and on making the presentation wished him a happy and enjoyable retirement. A presentation was also. made for Mrs Porter”.

He and his wife went back to Scarsdale where he renovated a large home and set about the business of retirement. After some forty years absence from Scarsdale he had returned to the Grenville Shire and was elected to the seat on the council made vacant by the sudden death of his brother Cr David Porter. Unfortunately his wife passed away in 1949 and he eventually returned to Melbourne and spent the rest of his days with his daughter, Shirley, and her husband, Jim Turner. On 6th April 1965 he passed away peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 83 years. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley, and son, John.

John Porter,

	Son of Josiah.