Lew F. Porter

Lew Forster Porter (July 6, 1862 – April 15, 1918), sometimes spelled as Lew Foster Porter, was an American architect and civil engineer from Peru, Illinois. During Porter's career he was one of the principal builders of the Wisconsin State Capitol as well as the capitol building commission's permanent secretary. Porter was a longtime business partner of Allan Conover and was the co-owner of their architectural and engineering firm, Conover & Porter. Porter was also the architectural mentor of Frank Lloyd Wright who was an apprentice under both Conover and Porter.

Early life Lew Forster Porter was born on July 6, 1862 in Peru, Illinois to Joseph Porter and Maria Kirk. Growing up, Porter lived in Freeport, Illinois with his family. He had three brothers and two sisters.

Career

Porter began his career in 1885 working for Allan Conover after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Conover was a fellow architect and the professor of civil engineering for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1885 Porter and Conover began an architectural and engineering firm named Conover & Porter, based in Madison. As the permanent secretary of the commission, Porter was to be paid $3,500 (roughly $128,900 in 2026) annually for his position during the capitol's construction from 1906 to 1917.

Porter died on April 15, 1918 at the age of 55 in Madison. Dane County courthouse (1885–1958) in Madison. University of Wisconsin Science Hall in Madison. Camp Randall Memorial Arch at Camp Randall. Security Savings Bank in Ashland, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Armory and Gymnasium at Bascom Hill in Madison. Machinery Row in Madison. Charles and Martha Buell House in the University Heights Historic District in Madison. Various houses in the Mansion Hill Historic District in Madison. Fire Station No. 4 at 1329 W. Dayton Street in Madison. New Glarus Public School and High School in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Timothy C. and Katherine McCarthy House in the Jenifer-Spaight Historic District in Madison. Bank of Washburn in Washburn, Wisconsin. Agricultural Dean's House at 620 Babcock Drive in Madison.

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