Capt. Elbridge Gerry Potter - 1879

POTTER, KILBORN

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 8/15/2009 at 11:22:51

Capt. Elbridge Gerry Potter was one of the early settlers of Bellevue, coming here in 1842, and locating in the valley west of the town. He cultivated this beautiful tract of land, and soon made it one of the finest farms in the State. He gave the name of "Paradise" to his place, and it is well named, for a more beautiful place would be hard to find. He built the flouring-mills in Bellevue known as the Jasper Mill, and did an extensive business in the manufacture of flour, and continued the same until 1871, when he sold out to Kilborn & Co., who now run the mills. He was a hard-working, self-relying man, doing his own thinking upon all subjects. He did not belong to any church, having been an avowed atheist from childhood, his belief being all contained in the Golden Rule. In politics, he was a Whig and Republican, but never held any office other than County Commissioner of St. Clair County, Ill.

1879 History of Jackson County Iowa, pg 542