Representative John Frederick Potter View All Years

HON. JOHN FREDERICK POTTER

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life and service of the Honorable John Frederick Potter, late of Cherokee county, beg leave to submit the following memorial:

John Frederick Potter was born February 27, 1834, in Bridgewater, Windsor county, Vermont, a son of John Potter, who served in the War of 1812, and Polly Wheeler, both of Scotch ancestry. When nine years old he moved with his parents to Rutland county, Vermont, where he lived until he came to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1856.

Mr. Potter followed Rufus Richardson to Iowa and assisted him in developing his farm, which was located southwest of McGregor, and in 1860 he purchased land nearby and in 1862, November 27, married Mary A. Bailey, who had come with her parents from Connecticut in 1859 and lived on a neighboring farm.

In 1868, Mr. Potter looked over a large part of northwestern Iowa, and decided to locate in Cherokee county. Consequently in the spring of 1869 he sold his Clayton county land and with his wife, his father-in-law and several neighboring men he came by covered wagon and ox team to Silver township, Cherokee county, where he purchased Iowa college land and established a home that was known far and wide for its generous hospitality.

Although they had no children of their own, they were the friends of youth everywhere and were Uncle John and Aunt Mary to an ever-widening group, and many were the picnics and gala times enjoyed in the Potter grove and orchard, all planted with their own hands.

Mr. Potter’s political opinions were expressed by the Democratic party, voting for Buchanan in 1856. He served as Representative from Cherokee county in the Twenty-third General Assembly.

In 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Potter retired from the farm and moved to Cherokee where he continued to enjoy life and visiting with his many friends until his death, which occurred April 15, 1927, at the advanced age of 93. Funeral services were conducted by the Masons, of which fraternity he was an ardent member.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the state of Iowa take this occasion to express its appreciation of the character and services of this valuable citizen, and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased in care of Mr. N. L. Stiles at Cherokee, Iowa.

C. C. R. BUSH,

WILBER F. HUBBARD,

G. W. SMITH,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929.