Potter, Robert 1830-1918

POTTER, DAW, BUSNELL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/10/2005 at 22:04:02

From the LeMars Sentinel, Friday, December 20, 1918, Page 5, Column 4:

Death has claimed another of the old steelers at Cherokee, Ia., December 12, 1918. Robert Potter was born in England in 1830 [headstone says Sept. 8, 1829] and came to America in 1856. He lived in Kane county, Illinois, until 1869, when he moved to Iowa where he has resided until his death. The funeral was held in the M. E. church at Sheldon Saturday at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. Busnell and the remains brought to Seney and laid to rest beside his wife [the former Sarah Daw] who preceded him eighteen years ago. He leaves to mourn two daughters, one son, 19 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild and a host of friends. Mr. Potter was a member of the M. E. church for forty years. He was a kind husband, a loving father and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Another Obituary...Another newspaper:

From the Sheldon Mail, Sheldon, (O'Brien), Iowa, Wednesday, December 18, 1918, Section 2, Page 1, Column 3:

Aged Resident Passes Away

Robert Potter, one of Sheldon's oldest residents, passed away at the home of his daughter (in law), Mrs. James. Potter, last Thursday morning, December 12. Mr. Potter had reached his 88th year and the past five years of his life has been spent in feeble health. Death was the result of the infirmities of old age.

Mr. Potter was born at Marden, Kent Co., England, Sept. 8, 1830. He grew to manhood on a farm in that country with the meager opportunities that were common to the children of that age. In 1851 he was married at Marden to Sarah Daw, to which union three children were born, James Potter and Mrs. Lucy Reeves, who are now both deceased. One little son passed away in infancy.

In 1856 (Sarah's obit says 1857) Mr. and Mrs. Potter and their children came to America, first settling in Wisconsin, and later moving to Kane Co., Ill., where they lived until the fall of 1869 (Sarah's obit says 1868). During their residence there a son and two daughters came to gladden their home. They are Mrs. Mary Porter, of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Carry Sattizan, of Wagner, S. D., and Thomas Potter of Fayette, Ia. All were present to attend their father's funeral. Another little daughter, Nellie, passed away at the age of 3 1/2 years (error-- 2 1/2).

In the fall of 1889 (error--1869), Mr. Potter and family moved with a team of horses from Kane Co., Ill. to near LeMars, where Mr. Potter took up a homestead. They made this their home until 1876 (Sarah's obit says 1877), when in the fall of that year, they moved to O'Brien township (error--county). Mr. Potter purchased a farm near here which is still in possession of a member of the Potter family, his grandson, Thomas Potter, Jr.

In 1893 the family moved from their farm to this city, purchasing the residence, now known as the Mrs. James Potter residence on Washington avenue. A few years later they returned to their farm where his wife died Aug. 12, 1900.

After the death of Mrs. Potter, he made his home with his son, James until his death some eight years ago. Since that time he has spent his time with Mrs. James Potter, whose unceasing care and devotion has brightened the old gentleman's declining years.

Besides the three living children, he is survived by 16 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandchild.

Mr. Potter was a hard working man, and possessed of a splendid physique, he continued his industries late in life. He was possessed of a strong will and even temper and was not easily moved to anger. His life was a model moral life, at no time being addicted to the use of liquor, tobacco or profanity. His mild and kind disposition had endeared him, not only to his immediate family, but to hosts of friends.

He became a member of the Methodist church while residing in Plymouth Co., later his membership was transferred under the ministry of Rev. Artman, to the M. E. church of this city. His life was lived according to the teachings of his church, and might be termed a model Christian life.

Funeral services were held by Dr. J. J. Bushnell at the M. E. church in this city, Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Afterwards the body was taken to Seney and laid to rest beside that of his wife, whose death preceded his over 18 years.

The greatest sympathy is extended the relatives surviving in their loss.