Born at Potter's Hollow, Albany county, New York, June 11, 1830. He commenced the practice of law in September 1851. Mr. Potter was married June 22, 1852, to Emeline J. Fenn. The years of his residence in Nevada were his period of greatest activity. He conducted various enterprises including at different times a newspaper and a hardware store. He entered actively into politics and at a time when politics was bitter he was the leading Democrat of the county. He triumphed at a special election held in the winter of 1862, (Ninth General Assembly) and was elected state senator for a district which included Story, Boone and other counties. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.