The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-05-17
PERSONAL HISTORY

He born in Charleston, South Carolina, Sept llh
1868 His parents died when he infant and he
adoped by his aunt the wife of farmer and spent his
boyhood in farm work and attending country school
With scholarship gotten for him by cousin, Rev.
a.. Toomcr Porter, he educated first at the Porter
Military Academy and then at college After graduation
ii college, he spent year at work teacher and
then upon civil service examination appointed clerk
IL The Customs service of the Government where he
worked for eighteen months.
He then moved Waycross, Georgia, where his only
sister lived and went work seal clerk in the rail-
road yards then billing clerk in warehouse of that
c3npany. After about months in this service, he
Has appointed official reporter of the Brunswick
JUDICIAL Circuit which position he held for five years. dur
nr which time he frequently called to Florida to
p0rf important
The second year after his appointment as court re-
poer he married Brunswick Georgia and four months
ihereater admitted to the bar few years later
was appointed Solicitor General or Prosecuting Attor
mes, for nine counties composing the Brunswick Judi
ca Circuit and the duties of this office he discharged
UiIh distinction.
In 1890 he elected 10 the Georgia Legislature and
seESed two years in that capacity, member Of the
E0mmittee on Judiciary, Ways and Means and number
oE other important committees, including the Steering
Gommittee of seven, which regulated the order OF bust
ness for the Legislature.
He made a vigorous fight for the reform of the
his opposition freak legislation of all kinds; and
WIS the author of number of bills of general effect
mich the statute books OF that State and have
neNer been amended or repealed.
# In 1896 he formed law partnership with Me- ]. c.
Keynolds and the firm of Toomcr Reynolds has CON
iiHued until the present.
He moved mis- home and business TO Jacksonville,
FDrida in 1906 and Immediately became identified with
her business interests; with the development of Florida
sad the practice of law, with limited general clientage
0hich did not include the representation of of the
zocalled special interests, but did include the epresen
aion OF farmers merchants, manufacturers, and some
othe modest business interests OF this city and State.
His family, of which he is very proud, consists OF
vile and eight children, three girls and five boys
He is the owner OF a good farm in Duval county.
He is member of the Protestant Episcopal Church
an has done great deal of active work in the building
q churches and Young Mems Christian Associations lie
lssa member of the ElkS, the Odd Fellows, and the
knghtS OF PythiaS.
He has twice been selected by the United States Gov
eInmen TO act Assistant Attorney General in the trial
4Imporan cases; first, in the preparation and trial OF
t case against the naval stores trust and again in inc
5sal OF case instituted by the Government against Inc
terchantS & Miners Transportation Company "a steam
sup company and two railroads, and firm OF grain
shippers in Philadelphia. The Government won these
caseS.
He has acquired comfortable home and modest
Mount OF means and is in every an AVERAGE
Han with some legal and business trainings alignmenS
VIII large corporations and thoroughly in touch and IN
s5mpahy with the great middle classes and of
people.
While his name was mentioned by of the press
NJ The State in connection with the GovernorShip oil
tbs State four years ago. yet until he sought member
Ssp in the United States Congress- he has never asked
H4r held public office in Florida. He in sense an
ece seeker, but has the equipment, health energy and
experience 10 make capable representative OF this State
Il The United States Congress.
He presents his candidacy all the people of Floric
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