J. G. Porterfield, a Kansas pioneer and Civil War veteran, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Pulaski county, that State, February 7, 1838, and is a son of Milton and Eliza Ann (Collier) Porterfield, both natives of Kentucky. When J. G. Porterfield was a boy, of four years, his parents removed to Missouri, where the father worked at the carpenter trade and followed farming. They remained in that State until 1856, when they came to Kansas, and settled in Calhoun, now Jackson county, and located on government land, about five miles north of where Holton now stands, and here the parents both spent their lives. When the Porterfield family settled in Kansas, the town of Holton did not exist. It was laid out the following year. The country was one broad range of unbroken prairie. Their nearest market places were Atchison and Leavenworth, and they had to drive to one of these places, or the other, for their supplies, during the first few years. The border war in Kansas was on in all its fury which added to the dangers and disagreeable features of pioneer life. J. G. Porterfield remained at home and followed the peaceful pursuit of farming until August 23, 1862, when he enlisted at Holton in Company B, Eleventh Regiment, Kansas Infantry. This regiment was mainly occupied along the border, in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, and did considerable scouting and skirmishing. They participated in the campaign against General Price, took part in the battles of Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, and Mine Creek, and many other engagements of lesser importance. During the last six months of his service, Mr. Porterfield's regiment was sent on a campaign against the hostile Sioux and Cheyennes in the far West, and went as far as Fort Laramie, Wyo. They then returned to Fort Leavenworth, where they were mustered out, and Mr. Porterfield received his discharge, August 30, 1865. He then returned to Jackson county, and engaged in farming again. He gave his undivided attention to farming, and stock raising until 1874, when he was elected county clerk of Jackson county, and was re-elected to that office twice, serving three terms in all. Mr. Porterfield was married October 18, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Russell, of Holton, Kans. and to this union was born ten children: Dora, a teacher in the U. S. service in Oklahoma; Robert, farmer, Jackson County; Frank, farmer, Jackson county; William C. and Charles W. (twins), Holton; Gaius, farmer, Jackson county; Vinnie, teacher, Jackson County; Flossie, married Robert Linville, Fort Collins, Colo.; Bert, teacher, Winchester, Kans.; Grace resides at home and is her father's housekeeper. The wife and mother died in June, 1911. Mr. Porterfield owns one of the finest farms in the county, a short distance from the town of Holton, but resides in town where he has a fine, modern residence,—one of the ideal homes of the beautiful city of Holton. He has been a life long Democrat, and a staunch advocate of the policies and principles of his party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Fraternal Mystic Circle, and is a member of the United Brethren church.