Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 447] JOHN F. POTTER. — This substantial and reliable farmer has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1869. He was born in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont, February 27, 1834, and is a son of JOHN POTTER, who served in the War of 1812. He was a native of Rhode Island, and was a son of ICHABOD POTTER, of English and Scotch ancestry. Mr. POTTER'S mother was POLLY WHEELER, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of ASA WHEELER, of Scotch origin, who served in the War of the Revolution. JOHN F. was a lad of nine years when his parents moved to Rutland County, Vermont. His mother died at the age of seventy-five years, and his father lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. There were nine children in the family: AUSTIN, HARRIET, SYBIL, JEFFERSON, ADELINE, GEORGE, MARIETTE, JOHN F. and EBER. ADELINE is the wife of JOSIAH MORGAN, of Pitcher Township. 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, which is in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. POTTER'S residence is a fine building of an attractive plan, situated in the midst of a beautiful lawn containing evergreen and other ornamental trees. One of the best groves in the county is to be found on the POTTER farm; it contains thirty-two acres. A large and conveniently arranged barn, and other buildings for stock and grain add to the completeness of the place, and show the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Mr. POTTER was married November 27, 1862, to Miss MARY A. BAILEY, a daughter of E. B. and LYDIA A. (WELLS) BAILEY, residents of the town of Cherokee, mention of whom is made on another page of this work. Mrs. POTTER was born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, and was reared and educated there. Mr. POTTER'S political opinions are expressed by the Democratic party; voting for BUCHANAN in 1856, he has ever since been a stanch supporter of Demo- cratic principles. Although holding the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives he has never held public office, his preference being to live a private life. Mr. POTTER'S long residence in the county, his honorable and upright life, and his appreciation of merit in others have won for him a host of friends. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. POTTER hospitality is ever dispensed in a cordial and generous way. ===========================================================================