POTTER, DR. LORON E.

POTTER, BALDWIN, RICKARD

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/18/2004 at 13:16:49

Biography reproduced from page 288 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Dr. Loron E. Potter, homeopathic physician and surgeon, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., April 27, 1823. When eighteen months old he went with his parents, Sheldon and Wealthy (Baldwin) Potter, to Genesee county and thence to Erie county, his father being engaged in the lumber business. In the fall of 1839 they removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where Dr. Patter led a frontier life with his parents until twenty-one years of age. His chance for an education being very limited, he might be termed a self-made man. The most of his education was gotten with the help of his mother, in the chimney corner, after his days, work was done and his companions were pleasure seeking. When twenty-two years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. Horace Eaton, at Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. He continued to study with him three years, then attended lectures at the Kingsville Institute. He then removed to Knox Co., Ill., where he resided five years, then went to Henry county remaining ten years, engaged in farming and practicing medicine. Before he had been in Henry Co., Ill., one year, there were no less than nine physicians settled around him, who had come west to seek a field of labor. In the fall of 1865 Dr. Potter removed to Marengo, Iowa, spending the winter, and in the spring of 1866 going to Greencastle township, Marshall Co., Iowa. He resided here eighteen years, having a large practice, and at times employing three teams and drivers, and getting the most of his sleep in the wagons, and sometimes riding a circuit of twenty-five miles. He at first practiced the regular system, but in eight years adopted the homeopathic, which he deems far superior. In May, 1883, on account of failing health, Dr. Potter retired from active practice, and moved on a farm in Cresco township, Kossuth county. He owns eighty acres of land on section 18, township 95, range 29, and eighty acres on section 26, township 95, range 30, where he now resides. He has erected some substantial buildings, a house 18x24 feet, a barn 26x36 feet and a sheep barn 26x64 feet. Dr. Potter is now allowed to rest, however, for he is frequently called to see his old patrons in severe cases, even to Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Dakota, and being compelled to attend on his immediate neighbors, he is kept so busy that he is obliged to neglect his farming interest. Dr. Potter has been unfortunate in the way of accidents. Soon after moving to Marshall county, while hauling a load of lumber, his team ran away and the doctor was thrown from the wagon, breaking three of his ribs, and injuring his spine so badly that his lower limbs were paralyzed for some time. Two years later he lost his right had in a broom corn machine. Mr. Potter was married Dec. 31, 1843, to Thankful Rickard, of Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. They have had eight children, five of whom are living—Orange A., a veterinary surgeon, living in Cresco township, this county; Albert C., homeopathic physician and surgeon at Clifton, Kan.; Caroline C., residing in Tama Co., Iowa; Lawrence E., residing in Cresco township, and Horace E., attending lectures at the Homeopathic Medical College in Missouri. Dr. Potter is a republican in politics. He is a radical temperance man, and in religion is liberal. He owns the only Cassimere goats in the county, has a fine flock of sheep, some fine high grade Shorthorns, and some very fine horses for driving purposes.