Augustus Seymour Porter (January 18, 1798-September 18, 1872) was a U.S. statesman for the state of Michigan. He was born in Canandaigua, New York, the nephew of Peter Buell Porter and attended Canandaigua Academy, He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1818, studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Detroit, Michigan. He was treasurer of the Michigan Pioneer Society in 1837. He became the recorder of Detroit in 1830 and was mayor of Detroit from 1838-1839. He resigned as mayor to run for the Senate.
He was elected as a Whig to the United States Senate, and served from January 20, 1840 and served until 1845. He did not run for reelection in 1844. He was chairman of the Committee on Roads and Canals, 1841-1845, and was on the Committee on Enrolled Bills, 1841-1843.
He moved to his father’s residence in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1848 and died at there on September 18, 1872. He is interred in Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York.
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
