POOR, John Alfred, journalist, born in Andover, Oxford co.. Me., 8 January, 1808; died in Portland, Maine, 5 September, 1871. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practised at Bangor, but afterward removed to Portland. In the latter city he was for several years editor of the "State of Maine," a daily paper, and he subsequently served in the legislature. He was the first active promoter of the present railroad system of his native state, originated the European and North American line, and was president of the proposed Portland, Rutland and Oswego road. He was an active member of the Maine historical society, under whose auspices he published "A Vindication of the Claims of Sir Ferdinando Gorges as the Founder of English Colonization in America" (New York, 1862). He also delivered the address at the commemoration, on 15 August, 1853, of the founding of the Popham colony at the mouth of the Kennebec (1863).