The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-07-02
lIILLIiH 1. PORTER.

Fiilli!slll Ea I UEt Lzs.
Some curiosity is usually fell to know the
private history Of men who are proposed for
public Office Judge Porter spent a considera-
bic portion Of his life in this town On his ap-
pointment to the Supreme Bench we Published
a short sketch Of him, winch was copied by
some Of our exchanges. We add few more
facts, we'll known to his friends here, whlcb
may prove interesting to others.
He was born in Huntingdon county, Penn
sylyana, in 1921, and is now about lhirty-spv-
en- years Of age He is the son ofthe Hon Da-
yid II. Porte, whose name has long been lam:l-
lar to our people. His mother was the daugh-
ter Of Mr.. McDermott, who emigrated from
Scotland during the last century, for the pur-
pose OF engaging in the manufacture of Iron. in
Western Pennsylvania. Being Irish on one
side, and Scotch on the other, Judge Porter has
good right TO the Title OF Scotch-Irsb, SO much
euogised in his life of Judge Gibson.
His early life was passed in Huntingdon, but
we have no information respecting il. He
came 10 Easton more than twenty years ago.
and spent several years at The college in this
town. His teachers speak Of him as boy of
quick and active mind; persevering student,
and exceedingly truthful and honorable in his
thoughts and feelings. During his college
course, be maintained position at the head of
his class. He early showed a talent for debate,
and represented the literary societies the col
cient also in moral and intellectual philosophy.
To the ancient languages he was particularly
distinguished, so much SO, that on graduating be
delivered an original speech in Greek and
Latin.
In 1889 Mr.. Porter commenced the study Of
II
has turned out more lawyers than some of our
! bars contain. Several years were here devo-
ted TO the study of the law. During this time
/ he became q general layoIite Of our citizens,
and they will vote for him with unanimity
which few public men could command,
In 1912 he was appointed BY Attorney Gen
eral Johnson, District Attorney for Phiiadel-
phia, which brought him in contact with some
of the ablest members of that bar. We have
always understood that he discharged the duties
Of the office with ability. The sheriff Of PhiIa-
delphia having died, violent contest for the
remainder Of his term ensued. Unable 70 please
either faction, Judge Porter's father, then Gov
ernor, appointed ham to the office This WAS
an uncomfortable position, for the uproar on all
sides was great. Besides the political diScon-
tents, proceedings were commenced to test his
y - -
acler Of the office was soon changed Order
was brought out Of confusion, and all illegal
fees abolished Money was promptly paid over,
and The business was conducted with an exact
ness and precision which are said to be memora-
bic TO this day. The notable riots of that peri
cd commenced about this time. One OF the
most exciting occurred IN Kensington. Depart
ing from the custom of his predecessors, Sheriff
II . i 1 (
several hundred citizens, and, against all re-
monsrance. proceeded TO the scene Of distuF-
hance. The newspaper accounts are still fresh
n our minds. At The first discharge of fire.
arms, the posse LEFT the sheriff with but hand
full Of supporters. The testimony afterwards
given in court brought the subsequent facts
prominently 10 view. One Of the witnesses
testified that, after long search, he found the
sheriff in the midst ofthe fight, surrounded by
several hundreds ofthe rioters and severely IN
iured. On being urged to retire, be replied,
not until the riot is qucled. In the presence
( Of the witness he was again knocked down and
very much trampled The result was long
illness We have frequently heard Mr.. Por-
ter say, that on recovering from his illness
! new world seemed to open upon him, for all oP-
position to his administration as sheriff was
zone. The frowns with which he was former
! ly met were changed for congratuations.-
Those whom his amiable temper and integrity
j had failed to influence were won by bis DISPOSE
ton to do his dGly.
At the close OF his term as sheriff. the mem
bers of the bar, without distinction OF party,
presented to him an address which was rePnb-
ilshed in this paper at that time. Among other
things, they say "Tbat we cheertully bear
our testimony to the iaithtulness 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 lis business has been conducted. y
On turning to the list ofsignatures, we see the
names of Meredith, Randall, lngraham, Mai
lorv, Dallas, Gilpin, Brown, Price, Reed, 1y-
son, Campbell, Tilghman, Wharton, caJ"a'a-