The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-06-16
POLITICAL.
From the American Sentinel
DAVID r. PORTER.

ponentS OF this gentleman nave been aDle
to bring against him with even the appear
ance of truth, is that many years ago, dur
ing period of great public distress, he be-
came embarrassed in his. circumstances, and
was compelled to avail himself of the in
solvent laws of the commonwealth. The |
following statement of facts, with which |
we have been politely furnished by gen.
tleman of the highest Responsibility, and
and well acquainted with all the circum- |
stances connected with the transaction, will
enable our readers to Judge for themselves,
whether Gen. Porter is deserving of the a.
buse which has been SO freely lavished on
him, or whether he is not entitled to COM
mendation for the strict integrity and un-
wearied industry which marked his conduct
in circumstances of most trying and dis
couraging character.
When young man about twenty-five
years Of age, David r. Porter came to
Huntingdon county, from Montgomery
county, the place Of his birth; and entered
as clerk at an iron works, with view to
acquire knowledge of the art of manuiac-
turing iron, and the management necessary
in conducting the business. He remained
in that situation for some time. On the
death of his father, tract of land descend
ed TO him as his patrimOnial pOrtlon.-A-
bout the year 1916, he sold his property
for several thousand dollars; and in partner
ship with Edward b. Patton, purchased
from VIM. Patton, Sligo Forge, situated in
Franklin township, Huntingdon county
The real estate was incumbered by sundry
judgments obtained against VIM. Patton,
previous to the sale. Patton and Porter
commenced business, in which David r.
Porter invested his whole available funds.
They continued, during a period of pres
sure, to conduct their business with appa-
rent success, until the year 1919 or 1920,
when Edward B. Patton, having married
the daughter of wealthy citizen of that
county, purchased the interest of his part
ner, David Rittenhouse Porter, in the real
and personal estate connected with the iron
business. The whole property was thus,
with the assets of the firm, including out
standing debts, transferred to Mr.. p. who
bound himself to pay all the debts of the
firm, and to pay David r. Porter the mon
ey he had invested, with interest upon it.
Mr.. Patton continued to prosecute the busi-
ness up to 1921, when in the crash of the
times he failed, and left unpaid large debts
due from Patton and Porter, as we'll as debts
due from himself. Among the latter was
that due David r. Porter, in consideration
of the purchase made from him. Thus
Gen. Porter was left stripped of his patri-
monial estate, and encumbered with the
debts of the firm. By the management of
others and the pressure Of the period David
r. Porter was borne down in the wreck
produced by those times, the most disaster
Gus and ruinous that ever swept over the in
terror of Pennsylvania. Many of our most
enterprising citizens lost their all in those
days, and were reduced from aflluence TO
poverty. Pressed by debts which another
had assumed to pay, and without means, he
was compelled to avail himself of the bene-
| fit of the insolvent laws. Under the laws
as they then existed, bail for the appearance
Of the applicant could not be received. In.
stead of sinking under the msfortunes, and
leaving the country, or ceasing from exer.
tions, David X. Porter, with vigor and
energy of mind, and untiring industry
which reflect credit upon him, set himself
down, and became the architect of his owr
fortune. Under all his losses and misfor
tunes he retained the confidence of his
neighbors, acquaintance and friends. Or
his moral integrity, his industry and enter
prise all relied with unAinching confidence
The year succeeding his failure, the cleo
tors of Huntingdon county sent him as thei
representative to the legislature of the state
in which capacity he performed his duty
to the perfect satisfaction of his constituen
cy. On his return home in the spring, he
married an amiable and excellent woman
his present wife, and now the mother of
numerous family of children. Pursuing
steady course Of strict economy and untirinl
| industry, he gradually hquidated and pait
every debt he owed, either as AN individua
or as one Of the firm of Patton and Porter
{ with the exception of contested claim O
the father-in-law Of Edward b. Patton. o.
a due bill Of that firm a suit was instituted
j by the iather-in-law, on or about the yea
1920, against Patton and Porter, which ha
: remained on the docket Of the Court {
r Common Pleas of Huntingdon county fror
: that period up to the present time. 1t wa
: never put at issue until within the last fe,
months. The plaintiff claims that this del