Built in 1797 by town founder Reverend William Smith and his son Richard. 105 William Smith Street is the most historic house in Huntingdon. Richard was a prominent attorney and politician. Unfortunately he didn't fair as well in financial matters, whereupon he fell on hard times. In 1823 he was sued by a relative of his wife's family. During the trial he rose to defend his honor, after a passionate diatribe and numerous demands by the judge for order, Mr. Smith sat down in his chair, laid his head on the table and simply died. 105 William Smith Street was purchased by David Rittenhouse Porter. Porter was born and raised in Montgomery County. His father Andrew was a distinguished Revoluntionary War General. Andrew had turned down a request from President Madison to serve as Secretary of War. David Porter moved to Huntingdon in 1815 where he studied law and bought an iron furnace. Nevertheless, he found his true calling in politics. He was elected into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1820 and later served in the State Senate. In 1838 he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania and was re-elected in 1841. David Porter's brother George was appointed by President Andrew Jackson as Governor of Michigan Territory. Another brother, James Madison Porter served as Secretary of War under President Tyler.
Horace Porter was born at 105 William Smith Street in 1837. Horace was educated at West Point and Harvard. He rose to the rank of General during the Civil War. He also received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chickamauga. In the final year of the war he was appointed personal secretary to General Grant, a post he would continue when Grant was elected President. Horace later served as Vice President of the Pullman Palace Car Company. As President of the Union League of New York, he was the leading figure in the construction of President Grant's tomb in New York City.
In 1897 he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to France. While in France, Porter personally searched and financed the recovery of John Paul Jones grave, returning it to a place of honor at Annapolis.