Potter, Harvey H.

POTTER, PRICE, MORRILL, STAMBAUGH, COLMARY, HOYT, NICKEL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 2/10/2003 at 22:58:05

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

HARVEY H. POTTER.

It is not difficult to determine the secret of Mr. Potter’s success in life. It has resulted from close application, fidelity to duty and trustworthiness,--qualities which may be cultivated by all and which never fail to bring a satisfactory reward. For thirty-eight years he has been in the employ of the house of C. Lamb & Sons, and is now foreman of the sawmill department,--an important position which he is filling most capably.

Mr. Potter was born in Wyoming county, New York, February 11, 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Chloe (Price) Potter, both of whom were of English descent, while the latter was a daughter of William Price, who for seven years served as a member of the body guard of General Washington in the war of the Revolution. Both the parents were natives of Vermont, the father born in 1808, the mother in 1818. He was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in New York, where he also built a small sawmill, engaging in the manufacture of lumber. He cleared his own land, which was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and there continued his business interests until 1837, when he came to the Mississippi valley, locating in Illinois, where he experienced one of the most severe winters that has ever visited this portion of the country. He had expected to buy land and follow farming in that state, but on account of the severity of the winter he returned to New York, where he carried on agricultural pursuits and manufacture of lumber until 1862, when he again went to Illinois, settling in Rushville, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife died in New York in 1854. He was a man of domestic tastes, attached to his home and family, and never sought political honors or office. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Potter was a highly educated lady and was very active in church work. She was also most devoted to her home and family, and did everything in her power for the welfare of her husband and children, and her sons and daughters hold her in sacred remembrance. She was also a loyal and faithful friend and won the love and esteem of all who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Potter were born seven children, of whom two died in early childhood, while the others reached mature years, namely: Caroline, who died in 1854; Mrs. Elmira Morrill, who with her husband is living retired in Kansas; H. P.; Celeste, who was married and died in Illinois in 1897; Helen, the wife of A. Stambaugh, who formerly engaged in farming, but is now living retired in Astoria, Illinois. The children were all educated in the common schools of New York.

On account of his father’s health our subject had to leave school at an early age and began work on the home farm, also assisting in the operation of the sawmill. He was thus employed until seventeen years of age, when his father gave him his time, but for several years thereafter he was connected with his father in business. In the spring of 1857 he left the Empire state and came direct to Iowa, locating in Jackson county, where he engaged in farming until 1860. He then went to Sabula, where he was married in 1861 to Rebecca M. Colmary, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1839, and at an early day came to Iowa with her parents. Her father, David Colmary, was a molder by trade and was the first man who ever put in a hard coal blast in Pennsylvania. His children were David, who is living in Lyons; Mrs. Elizabeth Hoyt, a resident of Clinton; Mrs. Rebecca Potter; Mrs. Anneta Nickel, of Morris, Illinois; and Mrs. Sarah Potter, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Potter, of this review, came to Clinton and have since been permanent residents of this city. The following year he entered the employ of C. Lamb & Sons as a workman in the sawmills, and after serving in that capacity for several years he was promoted to assistant foreman, serving in that position for twelve years. In January, 1895, he was made foreman and has since had the superintendence of the mills. He has seventy-five men under his control. Familiar with every branch of the business his practical experience, combined with good executive ability, well qualifies him for the important position which he now occupies and which he is ably filling.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter have but one son, William H. Potter, who was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of the Clinton high school. He also took a complete course in the Clinton Business College, standing at the head of his class in the examinations. He is now a fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In 1882 Mr. Potter purchased his present home in Clinton, where he and his wife are now pleasantly situated, surrounded with many of the comforts and luxuries of life. Socially he is a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Clinton. For almost four decades he has been in the employ of one firm and no stronger evidence of faithfulness and capability could be given. His work has ever been satisfactorily performed and his integrity is above question. His advancement has come through merit, and the success he has achieved is due to his own labors. Mrs. Potter died June 1, 1901.