James E. Porter was a farmer, miller and political figure in New Brunswick

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...

, Canada. He represented Victoria County

Victoria County, New Brunswick

Victoria County is located in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. Farming, especially of potatoes, is the major industry in the county.-Communities:...

 in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick

The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...

 from 1889 to 1892 and from 1896 to 1903 as a Liberal member.

He was the son of John Porter, an early settler on the Upper Saint John River, and was educated at Presque Isle, Maine

Presque Isle, Maine

Presque Isle is the commercial center and largest city in the sparsely populated Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,692 at the 2010 census...

. Porter married Alma J. Watson. He served on the municipal council for 24 years and as county warden for 10 years. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1886, was elected in 1889 and did not run in 1892.