The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-08-23

We find the annexed interesting ac-
count of the life and public services of
the late David r. Porter, in the Ian
caster HteWgencer, of the 18th inst:
Ex-Governor David r. Porter died at
his reSidencein Harrisburg yesterday af-
tefnOOn, at D O'Clock, in the 18th year
of his age. Thousands throughout
pennsylvania and elsewhere will read
this announcement with emotions of
unfeigned sadness. The deceased was
one of the very few public men of the
purer and better days of the Republic
who had been spared to witness the
exciting and revolutionary events
through which our country is now
struggling. During the greater portion
ofan active and useful life he was close
ly identified with all public interests
and the political welfare of his native
State, and was as widely known as any
of his cOtemporaries in public life. To
the last his interest in the public welfare
continued to be undated, and he was
always ready to serve his State and
country.
Governor Porter was born in Norris
town, Montgomery county, in the year
17SS, of distinguished parentage. His
Father, General Andrew Porter, COM
manded the artillery under General
Wayne in the Revolution, and after
the termination Ofthat glorious strug-
gle, was the first Surveyor General Of
Pennsylvania. Geo. 3. Porter, broth
er, ,OfEX-GOverno Porter, held theOffic
Of Governor of Michigan, and another
brother, James Madison Porter, was
Secretary of Warunder PresidentTyler,
and, for a number of years, Judge of
various courts in this State. Early in
his life Governor Porter located in
Huntingdon county where he engaged
in business. He held the Office of Pro-
thOnOtary Of the county for nine years,
and in 1891 was elected to represent that
district in the Senate of Pennsylvania.
His abilities as a Senator attracted at
tentiOn, and in 1888 he was nominated
a. the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernOr and elected. So satisfactorily to
the people did he discharge the duties
OF his high office that he was renomi-
mated and reelected in 1911, when he
was succeeded by Francis r. Skunk.
Gov. Porter was a fine writer, no great
public speaker, but man of superior
intellect, sound Judgment, iron will
and indomitable energy. During his
gOVernOrship the disgraceful and ter
rible Know Nothing riots occurred in
the city of Philadelphia. Gov. Porter
at once haStened to the scene Of the
disturbance. So great was the excite
ment that bitter threats were made a.
gainSt him by the rioters, in case he
should make his appearance in the
streets with the military. His fri nds
in the city, being alarmed at the APP
parent danger, met the Governor at the
foot of the old inclined plane with pri-
vate carriages, and endeavOred to in
duce him to leave the public convey
ance and suffer them to conduct him
into the city. This he peremptorily
refused to do, telling his friends that if
he was to die in the discharge of his
duties he might as well be killed in the
cars as elsewhere. To his good manage
ment and unflinching personal courage
the suppression of the riots was MAIN
ly due. He was a man who never
shrunk from the discharge Of any pub
lie duty, and in all respects was a mod
ell Governor.
From the time of his retirement from
the Gubernatorial Chair, GH'-eIno?r + S?
Porter persistentlv declined all nohl-
nations, though constantly taking a
deep interest in public affairs. The
Democratic Party always looked up to
him as a safe counsellor, and they Will
feel that in his death they have lost one
of that noble and heroic race of men
who shed lustre on the history Of the
State. In private life Governor Porter
was a most courteous and amiable gen
tleman, warm and staunch friend, an
honest man, commanding the Warmest
devotion of even his political enemies.
Peace to his ashes