Early Life
William A. Pors (1827-1911) was born in Hamburg, Germany. His first ambition was to be a merchant. However, in 1849, he emigrated to America and settled in Washington County, Wisconsin, thirty miles outside of Milwaukee. After a few years, William took a job as a clerk and decided to study law. He was married in 1859 to Ida Heinemman.
Draft Commissioner
Pors was elected District Attorney of Ozaukee County in 1857. According to the Milwaukee Wisconsin, "Mr. Pors has always been a democrat, and had just been elected district attorney by the people of the county, meeting with no opposition of any consequence. On this account he thought it might be safe for him to undertake the duties of the Draft Commissioner, and accepted the appointment."
After the riot, we learn Pors was informed that there could be violence if the draft proceeded. In an excerpt of a letter to Governor Salomon, we see exactly what he knew: "Previous to the 10th inst. [of November], the day assigned for the draft, I received intimations that there would be violent resisteance to the draft on the part of a large number of people. I was even told that my life would be taken....I did not ask military help from you, for the reason that as long that there was no active resistance, I decided it improper to bring the military in collision with the citizens." On November 10, 1862, Pors was to begin the draft by drawing the names of those to be drafted. The drawing was to take place at the Ozaukee County Courthouse. The rest is history.
After the riot, we learn Pors was informed that there could be violence if the draft proceeded. In an excerpt of a letter to Governor Salomon, we see exactly what he knew: "Previous to the 10th inst. [of November], the day assigned for the draft, I received intimations that there would be violent resisteance to the draft on the part of a large number of people. I was even told that my life would be taken....I did not ask military help from you, for the reason that as long that there was no active resistance, I decided it improper to bring the military in collision with the citizens." On November 10, 1862, Pors was to begin the draft by drawing the names of those to be drafted. The drawing was to take place at the Ozaukee County Courthouse. The rest is history.