My Genealogy Hound

POTTER, JOHN W., mail agent on the Wabash Railway; residence, Clayton; is a descendant from English parentage. His paternal ancestry have held official positions in every war waged in the North American Continent, His parents were William and Olive (Wortman) Potter; the former was born in Nova Scotia, and the latter in England; both were reared near Eastport, Maine. He was born while they were on a visit in New Brunswick, May 26, 1821. His early life was spent in Massachusetts, where he was educated. He was employed for a time in a bank, afterward learned book-binding; followed it for a number of years; came west, and settled in Mendon, in 1851, where he devoted some attention to the study of law; afterward decided to enter the medical profession; read with Dr. Mason, of Mendon; began practice in Camden, Schuyler county; married Julia Plunkett, of same county. She was born Sept. 28, 1833. They have two children: Edgar S., born June 1, 1857, and John W. Jr., born May 29, 1859. Dr. P. enlisted Sept. 11, 1861, as private in Co. B, 3d Regt. Mo. Cav.; was appointed Provost Marshal, afterward Adjutant, and finally transferred to the medical department; was mustered out June, 1865; settled in Clayton, in 1867. Soon after bought the Clayton Standard, which he published a year; sold it to T. J. Mitchell, and entered the Postal service Dec. 17, 1869. He owns a house and seven acres of land in Clayton.