Husband Hon. Johnson W. Potter, M.D. 1 2 3
Born: 6 Mar 1835 - Clarion Co, PA 1 2 3
Christened:
Died: 31 Mar 1898 2
Buried:
Father: John Potter (1797- ) 4
Mother: Nancy Thompson ( -Bef 1898) 5
Marriage: 1858 - New Bethlehem, Clarion Co, PA 1 2
• Additional Image: J. W. Potter, M.D.
Wife Alamanda Hoffman 2 6 7
AKA: A. R. Huffman 3
Born: 1841 - Clarion Co, PA 3
Christened:
Died: Aft 1911
Buried:
Children
1 F Emily Potter 3
Born:
Christened:
Died: when sixteen years old
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
2 M Roger L. Potter 3
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Edith Carlisle ( - ) 3
3 M William B. Potter 8
Born: 1863 - Mulsonburg, Clearfield Co, PA 7
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Emma B. Emerick ( - ) 9
Marr: 1887 - Karthaus Twp, Clearfield Co, PA 7
4 M Frank M. Potter 10
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Hon. Johnson W. Potter, M.D.
Until he attained the age of eighteen years he lived with his parents on the farm, where he was employed at work, and in attending the common schools of the county, but he then went to Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a clerkship in a store, and worked there about one year. He then came to Clearfield County. For two winters he taught school in Lawrence township, and during the summer months read medicine with Dr. Matthew Woods, then a leading physician of the county. After a short time spent in the West, Mr. Potter, through the influence of Gov. Bigler, received an appointment for instruction at the National Medical College, an institution under the support of the government at Washington, D. C. Here he pursued his studies and attended lectures during the years 1859-60, but the building and premises were then taken by the national authorities for military purposes, and were never revived for collegiate use.
In the early part of the year 1860 Dr. Potter located at Mulsonburg, in Clearfield County, and commenced the practice of medicine. Here he remained eight years, when, his health failing, and seeing better results in the lumber business, made investments therein and started a mercantile business at Three Runs, Karthaus township. In this new occupation Dr. Potter engaged extensively, and, in connection therewith, built a saw and gristmill. In the year 1877, having, through energy and good management, acquired a comfortable fortune, he came to Keewaydin, Covington township, and purchased a finely located farm of about fifty acres, upon which he built an elegant residence and other fine buildings. In 1883 he built a commodious hotel at Karthaus village, and established a mercantile business at the same place.
During his many years of residence in the county, both as a citizen and as a professional man, Dr. Potter formed an extensive and favorable acquaintance, and, although he never possessed any political ambition or sought political preferment, yet he was occasionally pressed into the political arena. He had, moreover, strong convictions, and openly opposed every movement that tended toward political "bossism" or "rings," in his own or the opposite party. In the year 1868 he became a candidate for the Lower House of the State Legislature, but was defeated in the primary election. Again, in 1873, he ran as an independent candidate, having been nominated by the independent and conservative Democrats, and receiving a strong support from the Republican ranks, against Thomas J. Boyer, the "machine" candidate of the Democrats. After the hotly contested campaign that followed, Dr. Potter was elected at the polls. This victory practically terminated the existence of "the rings" in Clearfield County. For one term Dr. Potter served in the Legislature. The next year, 1874, he was re-nominated by the independent Democrats, but was defeated.
He was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, whence at the age of nineteen he moved to Clearfield County. His first nineteen years were spent on the farm, his studies in the local schools being interspersed with the "chores" so familiar to every country lad. His practical experience in agriculture not creating for him an enthusiastic desire to make of it a life pursuit, he turned his attention to teaching, as a stepping-stone to the medical profession. While thus employed he took a preliminary course of reading in medicine, and later attended the National Medical College at Washington City, which was broken up in 1861, the building being taken for a hospital. On returning home, he practiced his profession, and also engaged in business as a lumberman and merchant. For about eight years he conducted a store at Pottersdale (named in his honor), in Clearfield County, and in the end the demands of his financial enterprises, which proved profitable, led him to retire from medical practice. He gave some attention to the affairs of the County National Bank, at Clearfield, in which he was a director and stock-holder, and his ability as a financier made him a valued adviser in many important enterprises. In political movements he was also active and influential, and in 1874 he was elected on the Independent Democratic ticket to the State Legislature.
In 1894 he moved to the county seat from Keewaydin, Covington township, where he still owned a fine farm property.
The family attended the Presbyterian Church.
He and his wife were the parents of eight children.