George F. Potts

KOCHER, POTTS, COYLEPECK, MORELAND, JACOBS

Posted By: Oregon Rain
Date: 9/2/2006 at 10:55:59

George F. Potts is the owner and manager of a general store in Colesburg and is ranked as one of the prosperous and up-to-date merchants of the town. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1840, a son of John W. and Eliza (Coyle) Potts, also natives of Pennsylvania. The parents came to Iowa in 1846 and settled upon a tract of government land in Clayton, county, residing there for many years but moving to Colesburg in 1869, and both died here. Of the children born to them six grew to maturity, but the subject of this review is the only one now living.

George F. Potts remained under the parental roof until June, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company F. Twelfth United States Infantry. He served in the Army of the Potomac for three years and was honorably discharged in 1865. He participated in a number of hard fought battles but was fortunate enough to go through the three years without a scratch. At the end of the war he returned home to Iowa and in the spring of 1866 went to Montana, where for three years he followed mining. He then returned to Delaware county and located in Colesburg, where he has since lived. On the 1st of January, 1885, he entered the mercantile field and has since conducted his store, which is liberally patronized by the people of the town and the surrounding country. His reputation for giving full value for the money received and his anxiety to please his customers have been potent factors in the success of his business and insure its continued growth.

Mr. Potts was married on the 23d of September, 1869, to Miss Ann E. Peck, a native of the state of New York and a daughter of Samuel D. and Nancy W. (Moreland) Peck. The father was born in New York and the mother in Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa with their family at an early day, remaining here until called to their final rest. Mrs. Potts is one of a family of nine children and by her marriage became the mother of five, namely: Effa, the wife of C. H. Jacobs; Clara, at home; Nannie E., who married Louis A. Kocher; and Samuel W. and Bertie, both deceased.

Mrs. Potts is a member of the Congregational church and can be depended upon to do her part in the promotion of any good cause. Mr. Potts owns the building in which his store is located, his residence and four lots in Colesburg and is one of the valued citizens of the town, having aided in no small degree in its business expansion.

~ source: History of Delaware County, Iowa and its People, Illustrated, Volume II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1914, Chicago. Page 51-52. Call Number 977.7385 H2m; LDS microfilm #934937.