Born in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont, February 27, 1834. He was a lad of nine years when his parents moved to Rutland County, Vermont. John F. Potter came to Clayton County, Iowa, in 1856, and remained there thirteen years, improving a farm. In 1868 he looked over a large part of Western Iowa, and thinking that Cherokee County possessed more natural advantages than any other in that part of the State he decided to try what the earth and his own industry would yield him. His first purchase was 160 acres of wild land, and the success that has attended his efforts is shown by his title to 400 acres of Cherokee County's choice land. Mr. Potter was married November 27, 1862, to Miss Mary A. Bailey, a daughter of E. B. and Lydia A. (Wells) Bailey. Mr. Potter's political opinions are expressed by the Democratic party. He has ever since been a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. He served as Representative from Cherokee county in the Twenty-third General Assembly, 1890. In 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Potter retired from the farm and moved to Cherokee to enjoy life and visit with his many friends.