The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-09-02
OUR NEXT GOVERNOR.
sketches of the COMM Man.
Nashville Union aid American.


James Davis Porter is now forty-five
years of age; was born in Paris, Henry
county, Tennessee, where he has ever
since resided His fdther,i DIR. Thos.f X
Porter was an eminent physician, enc
of the earliest settlers in Henry county,
and was prominent citizen until mis-
death. His mother was Miss Geraldine
Horton, sister of the late Joseph w.
Horton, of Nashville. rs. --r,.
James ID. Porter graduated at the
Nashville University in 1876, and was
always noted as a good scholar, and
prompt and punctual in his classes, and
leader in tlfedebating society. Though
aqhard student he was Il genial, jovial
schOol-fellow, and an active participa-
tor in bOyish sports. 81
He studied law under james T. Dun
lap at Paris, and then graduated in the
law school at Lebanon. Locating at
Paris, he married the daughter of Mr.
John Dunlap, of that place, and began
the practice of his profession. He soon
gained high; standing mt the bar by
the practice OF those sterling virtues,
industry and attention to BUSINESS; and
though he possessed a strong will and
great perseverance, and determination,
vet his mild manners and his being,
under all circumstances, q gentleman in
the highest sense of the term, he won
friends of all the bar, and usually won
his cases. 4. tf..Ff .i.l .,.4...,.s s5 ....-#5 .
In the midst of a successful and pop.
ular practice, he was called out for the
Legislature in 1850, and was elected to
the House from the counties of Henry,
Carroll, Gibson and Madison. -
/ He served throughout the war in
1.-the Southern army, with credit as an
officer, and a sagaciOus councillor. .-5
| In 1870 he wasTelected, without oppo-
-sition, to the Constitutional Convention
where his methodical business habits,
his sound Judgment and 'legaland legis-'
lIlatiee experience caused him TO make
his mark and epabled him to render
valuable service in the formation OF the
new! constitution. .2.llp1 al fnu -s~..f.9 '
| D. The next wear after the convention,
by tho wish of the bar, Col Porter was
llelected by an overwhelming majority,
as Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Dis
I.trict, and discharged the. duties with
| great credit, faithfulness and justice,
until his resignation in February, 1874.
/ Judge Porter is a fine specimen of
those splendid physical features for
| which Tennessee is so famous He is
over six feet in hight, well built and
weighs about 170 pounds. He has a
large. massive, well-formed head, with
lihigh broad forehead, with marks of
| strong intellect and plenty1of driving
| pewergt 5IHisahairis dark but slightly
gHizzled, his, eyes are, clear BLUSH
grey, deep set, He has a massive jaw
| with. a firm Tip, vdenoting tirnindss and
| discrimination : 80 s9YEffi i94 H&
| Judge Porter's career has been noted
for great industry, sterling integrity
aud close attention to business neglect
| ling, nothing that he undertook to do,
/ and as, a.. consequence he has been uni
/ fornlE successful in all his undertakings.
| His, superior education, his strong pract-
icaI everyday common sense, his correct
Knowledge of human. nature, and his
amiable temper, have made him univer-
sally popular. Judge Porter is known,
too, to possess both moral and physical
courage, and is not afraid of men, n1Obs
or rings. ss-aFasnHz-sasrazv7--e--~-s