Durham, N. N.  "Spokane and the Inland Empire; History of the City of Spokane
and Spokane County Washington."  Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912.  

ARTHUR L. PORTER

	Arthur L. Porter is the secretary of the Western Lumberman's Association
with headquarters in Spokane. For the past twelve years he has been connected
with the lumber trade, giving him a wide acquaintance with the business in all
of its various phases, while from his broad experience he has derived the power
that enables him to carefully and successfully direct important interests. He
was born in Muscatine, Iowa, July 14, 1873, his parents being George W. and
Laura A. (Van Buren) Porter. His father was at one time business manager of the
Muscatine News-Tribune and after a long connection with that paper is now
conducting a job-printing office of his own in that city.
	In Muscatine, Arthur L. Porter obtained his education in the public schools
and when he had put aside his text-books, secured employment in a wholesale
grocery house after which he was connected with the Muscatine Oatmeal Company
for a number of years, having charge of its sales department in seven states. He
next entered the employ of the Roach & Musser Sash and Door Company in the
capacity of confidential clerk to Mr. Roach, taking charge of the outside
investments. In the spring of 1902 he was sent to Spokane as treasurer of the
Musser Lumber Company, with which concern he continued until the organization of
the Western Retail Lumberman's Association in 1903. At the outset he was elected
secretary and has continuously served in that capacity, having active voice in
the management and direction of the business and bringing to bear, in the
solution of its complex problems, the knowledge gained from long experience in
the lumber trade. On the 1st of January, 190-1, he organized a mutual insurance
company for retail lumbermen only. This was incorporated under the name of the
Lumbermen's Mutual Society and the business of the company now covers the entire
northwest with Mr. Porter as secretary, treasurer and general manager. They have
been largely instrumental in directing lumbermen to Spokane and their business
has constantly developed from a small beginning until it has assumed extensive
proportions. They now have over one thousand lumber yards, represented with an
insurance of over four million five hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of
more than forty thousand dollars.
	On the 16th of May, 1899, Mr. Porter was united in marriage at Muscatine,
Iowa, to Miss Ellen D. Roach, a daughter of William M. and Sarah Roach, of that
place. Mr. Porter became a member of the Masonic lodge in Muscatine and holds
membership in the Spokane Club, Lumberman's Club and the Hoo Hoos, an
organization of lumbermen. Throughout his life his attention and activities have
largely been concentrated upon his business. He is not a man of precarious
genius and therefore liable to erratic movements which often result in
unwarranted risk or failure. He is, however, persistent and determined,
correctly valuing his own capacities and powers and accurately judging of life's
contacts and experiences. These qualities have made him a strong factor in the
department of business upon which he has concentrated his efforts.


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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in October 2015 by Diane Wright.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.