James Madison Porter

Politician

1793 – 1862

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Who was James Madison Porter?

James Madison Porter, a Pennsylvanian, was the 18th United States Secretary of War and a founder of Lafayette College.

Porter was born near Norristown, Pennsylvania on January 6, 1793 to General Andrew Porter of the Revolutionary War. As a child he was home schooled, but he later attended Norristown Academy. In 1809 he had begun to study law in an office in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and later join his brother, Judge Robert Porter, to study in Reading, Pennsylvania. He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to become a clerk in the prothonotary's office in 1812. He helped raise and manage a volunteer militia company to garrison at Fort Mifflin and advanced to the rank of colonel. In 1813 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. He was appointed attorney general for Northampton County, Pennsylvania and married his wife Eliza Michler in 1821. Porter was instrumental in the founding of Lafayette College and was president of its board of trustees from 1826 to 1852 and professor of jurisprudence and political economy 1837 to 1852. In 1839 he was appointed to the vacancy as president judge of the twelfth judicial district.

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Born
Jan 6, 1793
Norristown
Spouses
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • Norristown Academy
Lived in
  • Pennsylvania
Died
Nov 11, 1862
Easton

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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