, 1873-10-28

Sudden Death OF Judge William A.
Porter OF tho Sup crior Court.

Sudden Death OF Judge William A.
Porter OF tho Sup crior Court.
This community was shocked, yesterday
afternoon, to hear Of the sudden death Of Judge
William 4. Porter, Of tho Superior Court OF
Cook County, than whom no man was more
widely known and respected in this city and
vicinity. resident Of Chicago eighteen years,
ho has been prominently before tho people near
ly al that timo, aud has always filed
his various positions With eminent ability and
probity. A man Of very temperate habits, ho was
taken away in tho prime Of life, aud with
prospect Of great usefulness before him; boing
only 48 years Of ngo, with strong vigorous
phyBlque. Judge Porter seemed to feol, how
ever, that hia present Rodoutary life was not
suitable to his general hoalth, ind increasing
yoara, for he remarked to an infinite friend
few days since, that should ho bo elected
another term, ho would servo that out and thon
retire from tho honc1 md go into some active
business.
Judge Porter was bora in 1926, in the city Of
Philadelphia, where he spent the first few years
Of his life. When ten yours old, his parents
moved to New York, whore ha received his edu-
cation, being quito remarkable as boy: for hav-
ing clear, logical, and well-balauced mind.
Adopting tho la,s as O profession, ho WON'T at 10
years Of ago, to study Inv with an
unclo, Judge Hogoboon (sinco Judge of
the Supreme Court, and in 1916 was admitted
to the bar. His great talents rapidly raised him
In his profession, and when al yoars old ho was
elected Attorney Of tile stato OF New York. Al
though young man Of prominence IN tho En-
pire State, got lo felt That In the rising City Of
Chicago was, field without limit for
man of hralns, and in 1856 ho Rot-
tied permanently in this city. Almost
Immediately his ability was recognized, and his
| business 10 introNHo1 TINT In 1858 he formed q
copartuershp with II. g. spafford aud L. NJ.
4ones' Hnder i a tue arm 2; Of Porter spaSora =
and In 1860, the war coming on, QUO OF tho firm.
| Mr.. Jones, enlisted, and tho firm was dis
solved, and q new firm formed, under
tue title Of Porter & steolo,, TIC e..lat la.-
at No. go Dearborn street until Judge Porter
rotired from it aud went upon the Bench IN 1857;
In 1861, Judge Porter married Allha abigail
| Boise, Of Northampton, MaHs., mont e'Itlliia-
hor grcat intellectual powers aud her thor.
ough ds oti'n to hor husband One child
WIS thu fruit Of this 1aarrjago,
n r., attending school. Mrs. Porter died IN
| 1871, 1amentcl by very largo circle OF frlonda:
| Judge Porter belonged to an intellectual
family. His latlcr Sas man Of kcdnbillty'
| Ono OF ul6 DTttltIH, JUN! 3As 4o!tett
is q Professor ut Yalo College, and widely
known for hin great orudition md learning:
Tho Judge himself WAS man Of rory broad
culture md 1iIoral views. ue waa patron Of
art md passio,latoly fond Of fine pictures, good
music. aud all that wag graud and beautiful In
| art aud uatulo.
Az wo l,ayo before intinatcd. every ono WAS
| completely taken by HurpriHe to honr Of tho
Judges death. lie was in Ills primo, and hs gen-
oral health was moyt oxoellont. At first 1t was
| not beloved but subsequent inquiry ouly con-
tirmol tho sui news. At about Z o'clock yostor-.
day morning, tue Judge gnng Ills boil aud askod
the boy to bring up llia morning paper and IND
last ueon Of hlm alive. When i was timo for
court to open and the Judge did not appear, in-
| quiry was made for him, aud no one
| ]iat scon him. 1Io took his neals opposite hls
lodgings, No. All Went Washington atreet, but
| waa not 1T breakfast. Ills door was fastoMed,
aud 1t was thought ho did not wish to be dis
turhel, 10 no atto1npt was made to forco MI on
tratlco into Ala roon TIL near o'clock, when
tho door waB opened, aud tho Judge WAS
/ found in hla bathroom dead, lying near
his bath-tub, ready to tako BATH. Ilo could
not haye beon doal worry loug when discovered.
telegram was at o,loe aont to aia son, In lsyo,
N. Y, and ono to his brother, Honry G. Porter,
Ut Sterling, ILL.,, conveying to them tho sad noHs.