lbert G. Porter. -- Among the self-made men of Indiana, none stand higher or have a more noteworthy career than the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Albert B. Porter was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana., April 20, 1824. He graduated at Asbury University in 1843, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1845 and began to practice in Indianapolis, where he was councilman and corporation attorney. In 1853, he was appointed reporter of the Supreme Court of Indiana, and was subsequently elected to the same position by a very large majority of the voters of the state. He was elected to congress from the Indianapolis district in 1858, on the Republican Ticket, overcoming an adverse Democratic majority of 800, which he converted into a majority for himself of 1,000. Two years subsequently, he was re-elected by a smaller majority. On March 5, 1878, he was appointed first comptroller of the United States Treasury, which position he filled with distinguished ability until called therefrom to become a candidate for governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket. He resigned, and entered into the campaign of 1880, which will ever be memorable in the history of the state. After a canvass of remarkable bitterness and excitement, in which every inch of ground was stubbornly contested, Mr. Porter was elected governor by a handsome majority. He held the office from 1881 to 1884, his administration being regarded by friend and foe, alike, as one of the ablest in the history of the state. Mr. Porter has for many years ranked as one of the ablest and most successful lawyers in Indiana, and his "Decisions of the Supreme Court of Indiana" (5 vols., 1853-6), are regarded as among the best of their kind in the state. Besides his talent in politics and law, Mr. Porter enjoys a literary reputation of no mean rank, attained chiefly from his law writings and lectures. He is an especially good authority on matters relating to pioneer history in the west, and has in preparation a history of Indiana, which will undoubtedly rank as a classic in that line of literature. At this writhing (September, 1890), Mr. Porter occupies the position of United States minister to Rome, which high honor was conferred upon him by his friend, President Harrison.