Charles J. Porter Biography


	This biography appears on pages 546-549 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				CHARLES J. PORTER. 

	Charles J. Porter is one of the foremost citizens and leading 
barristers of Madison, South Dakota, where he has practiced his 
profession continuously for more than a quarter of a century. He has 
likewise served as postmaster of the city, having been appointed to 
that position under President Roosevelt's administration in 1906. His 
birth occurred in Olmsted county, Minnesota, on the 13th of July, 1862, 
his parents being Joseph H. and Margaret (Pinney) Porter, the former a 
native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated 
in Winamac, Indiana. About 1856 They removed to Olmsted county, 
Minnesota where the father devoted his attention to agricultural 
pursuits and continued to reside until his death in 1905. His willow, 
who survives makes her home in the village of Marion, Minnesota. Joseph 
H. Porter was a veteran of the Civil war, serving through the struggle 
is a member of Brackett's battalion of cavalry, which did duty on the 
plains in the Indian service. They were with Sully through the state of 
South Dakota, and Mr. Porter acted as lieutenant of his company. 

	Charles J. Porter was reared under the parental roof and began 
his education in the common schools of his native county, subsequently 
attending Rochester Seminary at Rochester, Minnesota. When seventeen 
years of age he took up the profession of teaching, continuing in 
educational work for five years. On the expiration of that period he 
began reading law in the office of Arthur L. Gove, of Rochester, 
Minnesota, and in December, 1887, was admitted to the bar. In May 1888 
he located in Madison, South Dakota, where he opened an office and has 
practiced continuously and successfully since. He has argued many cases 
and lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough 
preparation and no one more industriously prepares his eases than he. 
His course in the courtroom is characterized by a calmness and dignity 
that indicate reserve strength He is always courteous and deferential 
toward the court, kind and just toward his adversaries. He examines a 
witness carefully and thoroughly but treats him with a respect which 
makes the witness grateful for his kindness and forbearance. His 
handling of his case is always full, comprehensive and accurate; his 
analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive; he sees without effort 
the relation and dependence of the facts, and so groups them as to 
enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to 
prove. Mr. Porter served as state's attorney for six years and also 
held the office of county Judge for two years. He was elected to the 
latter position for a second term but resigned when appointed 
postmaster by President Roosevelt in 1906 and ably served in that 
capacity until August 1, 1914. He is likewise a factor in financial 
circles as vice president of the Lake County Bank of Madison and acts 
as attorney for the Building and Loan Association of Madison. His 
property holdings include a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres in Lake county.

	In 1890 Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Katherine 
Elder, of Rochester, Minnesota, by whom he has four children, three 
daughters and one son, as follows: Ruth, a graduate of the Madison 
State Normal School and Macalester College of St. Paul, Minnesota, who 
is now a high school teacher; Madge, a graduate of the Madison State 
Normal School, who was graduated from Macalester College in 1915; Carl 
E., who pursued a course in English at the Madison State Normal School 
and is now attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison; and 
Frances. _ 

	Mr. Porter gives his political allegiance to the republican party 
and for two years served as mayor of Madison, giving the city a most 
beneficial and businesslike administration. He is a valued member of 
the Commercial Club of Madison and has fraternal relations with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. He likewise belonged to the Knights of 
Pythias until the' lodge was discontinued in Madison. At this point it 
would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as 
showing Charles J. Porter to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine 
public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of 
this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of 
his convictions but there are as dominating elements in this 
individuality, a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, 
taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his 
character, have naturally gained him the respect and confidence of men.