Tom Lovell/National Geographic SocietyHorace Porter was born April 15, 1837
in Huntingdon, Pa. He traced his ances-
try and family motto, “Vigilantia et vir-
tute,” to William De La Grange, who
accompanied William the Conqueror to
England in 1066. His grandfather,
Andrew Porter, served as an artillery offi-
cer under George Washington. His father,David Rittenhouse Porter, studied law
but turned to agriculture and industry,
managing a farm and an ironworks.
Active in Democratic politics, D.R.
Porter served two terms as Pennsylvania’s
governor from 1839 to 1845. Like many
Pennsylvania Democrats, he opposed
slavery and was pro-Union.Young Horace obtained appointment
to West Point and entered in the summer
of 1855 in one of only two classes in the
academy’s history with a five-year term.
Eighty-one men entered with Porter.
Forty-one graduated five years later on
July 1, 1860. Porter graduated third in
his class. He demonstrated discipline,An
Astonishing Career
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