The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-03-20

journals which have copied the malignant and
slandrous notices of Judge Porter from the
Pennsylvania and the Globe, will likewise
copy the following sketch, the correctness of
which, in every particular, is vouched for by
gentlemen of the highest responsibility.
From the Philadelphia .american Sentinel
THE HON. JAMES MADISON PORTER,
SECRETARY or WAR.
| This gentleman is the youngest child Of the late
General Andrew Porter, meritorios officer of the
Revolution who entered the army in the year IT'S,
as Lieutenant and who continued in service until
the close Of the war and the dsbandonment of the
army, at which time he was Colonel of the 4th, or
Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery. A short but
correct sketch of his life is found in Rogers Bio
| graphical Dictionary He was emphatically self
| made man-of great energy Of character-of high
scientific attainments, especially in mathematics, en-
gineering and astronomy-of unbendihg integrity and
unquailing courage.
The whose name stands at the head of this ar
ticle, was born at the family mansion Norris
| town, Montgomery County, Pennsy lvana, on the
sixth day of January, 1893 so that he is in his
| hity-irst year. His mother, whose maiden name
was Parker, was woman of strong and powerful in
telleot, and of well cultivated mind Both parents
were strongly impressed with the importance of edu-
| eating their children. All of them were instru ted
family, it is said, able recollect the time of learn
ing to read.
The subject of this notice, with his two next elder
brothers, General David r. Porter, Governor
of Pennsy lvania and the late General George b.
Porter, Governor Of Michigan, was first instructed
IN the ancient classics by private tutor at their Ia
theirs house. They then pursued their studies for
about three years at the Norristown Academy. In
consequence of the state of INSTRUMENTATION at the
colleges within reach of the parents, and the lax
IL Al.
go through collegiate course, although their pre-
paratory education would have fitted all of them to
enter the junior class of any Of those Institutions.
James M. Porter never went to school after he
fourteen years of age. He spent the three years,
subsequent to quitting the academy in assisting his
brothers in the labor of the farm, pursuing the high
er branches Of the Mathematics under his fathers
instruction, and reading history and the British
classics.
In the year 1909, General Porter, the father was
appointed Surveyor General of Pennsy lvania. James
entered his fathers office volunteer clerk, during
the pressure of business in he Land Office at that
time, growing out of the expiration of the period
fixed by law for paenting lands. Being intended for
the profession Of the law, he there laid the founda-
ton for that intimate knowledge of the land laws Of
Pennsylvania, which has much distinguished him
in his subsequent professional career.
About the beginning of the year 1910, he entered
the office of John Passmore, ESQ., then Prothono-
tary OF Lancaster county, who was lawyer, with
view OF himself master OF details oil the
practice OF that profession. He remained with Mr.
Passmore about two years, and his sole assistant
in dischargng the duties of the Offices of Protonotary
of the Supreme Court Of the Lancaster district, Pro
thonotary of the Court Of Common pleas Clerk of
the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Court Of Oyer
and Terminer and of the Orphans Court Of Lancas-
ter county, which were all held by that gentleman
He unwearied and assiduous in attending to the
labors of the situation, and exhibited then that unit
ring industry which has characterized him in every
situation in which he has been placed, and which has
enabled him TO attain that high professional and lite
rary character, accorded to him on all hands, by
friends as well as foes
In the early part Of tie year 1872 he removed to
Reading to pursue his legal studies with his eldest
sep-brother, the late Hon. Robert Porter then and
for many years after President Judge of the Third
Judicial District of Pennsylvania. He continued
with him till towards the close of that summer,
when, at the solicitation of old family friend (Dr.
John Porter then Prothonoary of the District Court
of Philadelphia, he came TO this city, to supply the
place of clerk in the office, until a suitable person
could be procured, and remained there until the
month of April, 1873, when he was admitted to tie
bar, having pursued and finished his studies under
the direction of VIM. Deany, Esq.
Very shortly after coming to Philadelphia, he was
elected Secretary of the association of Democratic
young men Of the city and county of Phi adephia,
society raised TO sustain the principles of the party
and the war of 1912. As their Secretary he orig-
mated the call of meeting, which resulted in the for
nation of the volunteer corps of Junior Artil C.
rists" The notice of the call was sent TO the ne VS.
paper at ii o'clock in the morning. The association
met at O'Clock in the evening" before nine O'Clock
that night seyenty-slx members Of it had enrolled
themselves in the company, elected their officers of
whom Mr.. Porter was one, and resolved TO parade
the next morning at 10 o'clock in uniform and ten
der their services to General Bloomfield which they
did. The occasion that on which Colonel (af
forwards GeneraD lizard had marched the troops
from Fort Mlfilin TO the lines, leaving behind but
small force in the fort, and that too when Br fish
fleet was lying off the capes of Delaware This ,oas
the first uoifnieer company raised in PHILADELPHIA after
The declaration Of tom. Their services were ac-
cepted, and they marched to and manned the fort
for several weeks until their places could be supplied
with regular troops. Having opened Office in
Philadelphia, he commenced the practice of his pro-
fession with greater success than usually attends
young men,
In August, 1914, when the news of the burning of
Washington was received he again enrolled himself
as a private in the corps of Junior Artillerists y
and Immediately elected Orderly Sergeant, the
highest Office then vacant in the company and march
ed to kenneti,s square While on the march he was
elected, at nome, Major Of the 72d Regiment Penn
sylvanla Militia, and subsequently was appointed by
Governor Snyder, Brigade Quarter Master Of Gene
raj Cadwall9ders Brigade, and ofIciated as such at
Camp Dupont Alter his return from Camp in the
early part of the year 1915, he was elected Lieuen
ant Colonel and subsequently Colonel of the 72d
Regiment, having received the latter commission
when he was but twenty-five years of age.
In the spring of 1878 he removed TO Northampton
county, having received the appointment of Prose
cutting Attorney Of that county from Amos Ellmaker,
Esq, then Attorney General. AT this time he was
in the twerty-sixth year of his age The late Sam
ue Sitgreayes, Esq, giant in intellect, was at the
head of the profession in that region
John Ross Esq, had left the Bar for a Judicial ST.
tuation The late Governor Wolf was then in full
practice, and John NJ Scott, Esq, now Mayor of the
CITY, at that time regularly attended the courts of
that county 1t was among these men that James Nj.
Porter commenced his professional career in Easton
and young as he was he sbrunk from the con-
hic with these veterans His industry and attention
were untirng his manners and address popular and
he soon won his way to the largest practice at the
Bar, which he has maintained for twenty years He
is the Oldest, and without any disparagement to
others, il may be said the abest lawyer in that part
of Pennsylvania If indeed he has any superior in the