Susan Porter, Educator

Susan M. Porter (1859-1939) taught at Racine High School for 26 years. She was a much-beloved teacher, founding the Audubon Club and the Photography Club, and seemed to have an interesting life of teaching, traveling, and belonging to clubs.

Susan Porter entered the Whitewater Normal School for teachers in 1877. Phebe was Miss Porter's sister who died in a hospital in Chicago in 1886.

Susan Porter entered the Whitewater Normal School for teachers in 1877. Phebe was Miss Porter’s sister who died in a hospital in Chicago in 1886.

Teacher salaries including Miss Porter's in 1898

Teacher salaries including Miss Porter’s in 1898. $550 in 1898 translates to $16,830 in 2016.

Teacher salaries including Miss Porter's in 1899.

Teacher salaries including Miss Porter’s in 1899. $625 in 1899 translates to $19,120 in 2016.

Miss Susan Porter is spending Thanksgiving in Janesville, 1900

Miss Susan Porter is spending Thanksgiving in Janesville, 1900

Miss Porter presents myths of Greece and Rome, 1901

Miss Porter presents myths of Greece and Rome, 1901

Miss Porter bought a house in Cooksville, Wis. in 1910.

Miss Porter bought a house in Cooksville, Wis. in 1910.

Susan Porter from the Racine High School Senior Annual (yearbook) ,1911

Susan Porter from the Racine High School Senior Annual (yearbook) ,1911

Talk given by Miss Porter on the cathedrals of Europe, April, 1914

Talk given by Miss Porter on the cathedrals of Europe, April, 1914

Porch party for teachers, 1914. Miss Porter seems to have rented a room from the Rickemans at 1608 S. Main.

Porch party for teachers, June, 1914. Miss Porter seems to have rented a room from the Rickemans at 1608 S. Main.

Miss Porter departs for her summer home in Evansville, June, 1914. This says Evansville, but I wonder if they were referring to Cooksville.

Miss Porter departs for her summer home in Evansville, June, 1914. This says Evansville, but I wonder if they were referring to Cooksville.

Susan Porter from 1915 Kipikawi

Susan Porter from 1915 Kipikawi

Susan Porter's camera club classroom from the 1915 Kipikawi

Susan Porter’s camera club classroom from the 1915 Kipikawi

DAR holds meeting and elects delegates, Racine Journal News, Oct. 11, 1915

DAR holds meeting and elects delegates, Racine Journal News, Oct. 11, 1915

Miss Porter lived at 1608 S. Main Street with the Rickeman family. My guess is that she rented a room.

Miss Porter lived at 1608 S. Main Street with the Rickeman family. My guess is that she rented a room.

Miss Porter's address in 1916, according to the Racine City Directory

Miss Porter’s address in 1916, according to the Racine City Directory

In addition to teaching, Miss Porter was also associated with the Racine Public Library in 1916.

In addition to teaching, Miss Porter was also associated with the Racine Public Library in 1916.

According to the 1920 Kipikawi, Miss Porter was teaching history in this year.

According to the 1920 Kipikawi, Miss Porter was teaching history in this year.

Miss Porter gave a talk on the birds she saw during her trip abroad in 1922.

Miss Porter gave a talk on the birds she saw during her trip abroad in 1922.

The 1922 Kipikawi yearbook of Racine High School was dedicated to Susan M. Porter on the occasion of her 25th year of service to the school

The 1922 Kipikawi yearbook of Racine High School was dedicated to Susan M. Porter on the occasion of her 25th year of service to the school

Miss Susan Porter, Educator, Dies at 79, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, March 27, 1939

Miss Susan Porter, Educator, Dies at 79, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, March 27, 1939

Tribute to Miss Susan Porter, Racine Journal Times, 9/27/1940

Tribute to Miss Susan Porter, Racine Journal Times, 9/27/1940

Miss Porter Taught at Racine High School for 26 Years, Racine Journal Times, 9/15/1947

Miss Porter Taught at Racine High School for 26 Years, Racine Journal Times, 9/15/1947

Susan Porter at FindAGrave. She is buried in Cooksville, Wisconsin

Susan Porter at FindAGrave. She is buried in Cooksville, Wisconsin