Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-06-30
William A. Porter.


Some curiosity is usually felt to know
the private history of men who are pro-
posed for public office. Judge Porter spent
a considerable portion of his life in this
town. On his appointment to the Supreme
Rehch we published a short sketch of
him, which was copied by some of our cx-
changes. We add few more facts, well
known to his friends here, which may
prove interesting to others.
He was born in Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, in 1921, and is now about
81 years Of age. He is the son Of the Hon.
David r. Porter whose name has long
been familiar to our people. His mother
was the daughter of Mr.. McDermott, who
emigrated from Scotland during the last
century, for the purpose of engaging in
manufacture Of iron, in western Pennsyl-
vania Being Irish on one side, and Scotch
on the other. Judge Porter has a good
right to the title of Scotch-Irish, so much
eulogised in his life of Judge Gibson.
His early life was passed in Huntingdon,
but we have no information respecting it,.
He came to Easton more than twenty
years ago, and spent several years at the
college in this town. His teachers speak
of him as a boy Of quick and active mind;
a persevering student, and exceedingly
truthful and honorable in his thoughts
. and feelings. During his college course,
{ he maintained II position at the head of
his class. lie early showed q talent for
debate, and represented the literary socie-
ties of the college on several occasions.
He became proficient also in moral and in
tellcctual philosophy. In the ancient Ian
guages he was particularly distinguished,
so much so, that on graduating he deliver
ed an original speech in Greek and Latin.
In 1899 Mr.. Porter commenced the study
of law in the office of Hon. J. NJ. Porter,
who has turned out more lawyers than
some of our bars contain. Several years
were here devoted to the study of the law.
During this time he became general fa-
/, vorite of our citizens, and they will vote
for him with n unanimity which few pub
lie men could command.
In 1912 he was appointed by Attorney
= General johnson, District Attorney for
Philadelphia, which brought him in con-
tact with some of the ablest members of
that bar. We havealways understood that
he discharged the duties of the office with
ability. The sheriff of Philadelphia hav-
"
!, of his term ensued. Unable to please either
faction, Judge Porter's father, then Gov
ernOr, appointed him to the office. This
was an uncomfortable position, for the up
: roar Of all sides was great. Besides the
political discontents, proceedings were
commenced to test his eligibility, on the
ground of age. But the character of the
office was soon changed. Order was
brought out of confusion, and all ille-
p, gal fees abolished. Money was prompt.
, ly paid over, and the business was con.
Quoted with an cXactness and precision
which are said to be memorable to tnis
e day. The notable riots of thatperiod com
menccd about this time. One of the mos
exciting occurred in Kensington. Depart
ing from the custom of his predecessors
s Sheriff Porter placed himself at the heaC
I of posse of several hundred citizens, and
against all remonstrances, proceeded tC
the scene of disturbance. The newspaper
accounts are still fresh in our minds. Al
S the first discharge of firearms, the posse
r left the sheriff with but handful Of sup
, porters. The testimony afterwards givcr
IN court brought the subsequent facts
: prominently in view. One of the witnesses
i testified that, after q long search, he founC
the sheriff in the midst of the fight, sur
rounded by several hundreds of the riot
ers and severely injured. On being urgcC
t to retire, he replied, not until the riot il
t quelled. IN the presence of the witness
he was again knocked down andvery mucf
trampled The result was q long illness
), We have frequently heard Mr.. Porter say
t that on recovering from his illness a new
, world seemed to open upon him. for al
opposition to his administration as sheriff
was gone The frowns with which he wa
formerly met were changed for congratu
b. lations. Those whom his amiable temper
, and integrity had failed to influence wer,
won by his disposition to do his duty.
r At the close of his term rs sheriff, the
members OF the bar, without distinction
of party presented to him an address
which was re-published in this paper al
that time. Among other things, they say
: "That we cheerfully bear our testimony
to the faithfulness and purity with which
you have discharged dyourresponsibletr trusts
3 to the decorous manner in which the af
, fairs of your office have been managed
and to the promptness and correctness
, with which all its business has been con-
5ucted." On turning to the list of sigma.