The Sheldon Family

Porter Sheldon was born in Ontario County, New York, on September 29, 1831. He went to school in Randolph and graduated from the Fredonia Academy in 1852. He read law and partnered with his brother, Alexander, in Randolph. In 1856, Porter opened an office in Jamestown and, the following year, moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he was active in politics and the Republican Party. He married Mary Crowley of Randolph in 1858. Their daughter, Cora, was born in 1860, and their son, Ralph C., was born in 1863. Shortly after this, the family returned to Jamestown, and Porter again formed a partnership with his brother, Alexander. Alexander died about 1867. Porter's second son, Harry P., was born in 1868. Porter practiced law and served one term in Congress. He retired from his law practice in 1887. 

When the formula for the Aristotype (photographic) paper became available, Porter Sheldon, Charles Abbott, and others formed the American Aristotype Company to produce the paper in Jamestown, New York. Porter sold some of his land to the company, and the factories were built on land north of the house. Porter retired from the company in 1898. 

Porter sold some of his land to the company, and the factories were built on land north of the house. Porter retired from the company in 1898. 

His son, Ralph C., later became president of the company. American Aristotype was absorbed by what is now Eastman Kodak Company and the operation was moved from Jamestown to Rochester, NY.

Porter Sheldon died on August 15, 1908. The house on Prospect became the property of his daughter, Cora, who had married Herbert Tew in 1886. 

Their only daughter, Dorothy, born on March 14, 1890, and married Oliver Johnson on May 20, 1924, inherited the house. His son, Ralph C., later became president of the company. American Aristotype was absorbed by what is now Eastman Kodak Company and the operation was moved from Jamestown.