Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-10
From the Easton Sentinel
WILLIAM A. PORTER,

Some curiosity is usually felt TO know the
private history Of men who are proposed for
public Office. Judge Porter spent consid-
cradle portion Of his life in this town. He
was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylva-
mia in 1891, and is now about thirty seven
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 manufacturing iron, in
western Pennsylvania. Being Irish on one
side and Scotch on the other, Judge Porter
has good right to the title of Scotch Irish,
so much enlogsed in his life ofJudge 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 1t the college in this
town. His teachers speak of him as q boy
Of quick and active mind q persevering STU
dent and exceedingly truthful and honorable
in his thoughts and feelings. During his
college course be maintained a position at the
head of his class lie early showed talent
for debate and represented the literary socie-
ties Of the College, on several occasions. lie
became proficient also in morel and intellect
ual philosophy. In the ancient languages he
was particularly distinguished, so much so
that on graduating he delivered an original
speech in Greek and Latin.
In 1889, Mr.. Porter commenced the study
Of the law in the Office of the Hon. j. NJ.
Porter who has turned out more lawyers than
some Of our bars contain. Several years were
devoted to the study of the law. During this
time ne became general favorite with our
citizens, and toey will vote for him with an
unanimity which few public men could COM
mand.
In 1912 he was appointed by Attorney
General johnson, District Attorney for
Philadelphia, which brought him in contact
with some Of the ablest members Of that bar.
We have always understood that he dischar-
ged the duties of the Office with ability. The
Sheriff Of Philadelphia hsying died, violent
contest for the remainder of his term ensued.
Unable to please either faction, Judge Por-
teI's father, then Governor appointed hin 10
the Office. This was an uncomfortable posi-
tion, for the uproar on all sides was great
Besides the political discontents, proceedings
were commenced to test bis eligibility, or the
ground of age. But the character of the
Office was soon changed. Order was brought
out Of confusion and all ll'illegal fees abolished.
Money was promptly paid over and the bus-
ness was conducted with an exactness and
precision which are said to te memorable
to this day. The notable riots ofthat period
commenced about this time. One Of the
most exciting occurred in kensington. De-
parting from the custom Of his predecessors,
Sheriff Porter placed himself at the head Of
aposse ofseveral bundled citizens and against
all temonstrances proceeded TO the scene Of
disturbance. The newspaper accounts are
still fresh in our minds. AT the first dis
charge of firearms, the posse left the Sheriff
with but handful of supporters. The testi-
mony afterwards given in Court, brought the
subsequent facts prominently TO view. One
Of the witnesses testified that after a long
search he found the Sheriln the midst OF the
fight, surrounded by several hundred Of the
rioters and severely injured. On being urged
to retire, he replied not until the riot is quell-
ed. In the presence Of the witness he was
again Knocked down and very much trampled.
The result was long illness. We have fire.
quently heard Mr. Porter say, that on recov-
ering from his illness new world seemed to
open upon him, for all opposition to his ad-
ministration as Sheriff was gone. The trowrs
with which he was formerly met were changed
for congratulations. Those whom his amiable
| temper and integrity had failed to influence
were won by his disposition to do his duty.
At the close of his term as Sheriff, the
members of the bar, without distinction of
party presented 10 MIN an auuTess Wnlcn was
! re-pubished in this paper at that time
Among other things they say "we cheeriuly
bear testimony to the faithfulness and purity
| With which you have discharged your respon-
| sible trusts, to the decorous manner in which
the affairs of your Office have been managed,
and to the promptness and correctness with
which all its business has been conducted
On turning to the list Of signatures, we see
the names of Meredith, Randall, Ingraham,
Mallery, Dallas, Gilpin, Brown, Price, Reed
Tyson, Campbell, Tilghmau, Wharton, Cad.
walader, lngersoll, Scott, Hubbell, Perkins
Bayard, and several hundred equally distn
gnished and of all political opinions,
On retiring from the Sherin's Office, Mr.
Porter resumed the practice of the law, IL
| Philadelphia, and continued with success fol
fifteen TO sixteen years, and until his appoint
ment to the bench. His success which wa,
| q, ii