Potter, Levi Franklin (1855-1928)

POTTER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 8/11/2008 at 16:10:40

Levi Franklin Potter
Mar 27, 1855 - Apr 8, 1928

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.72, Belknap Twp.)
L. F. Potter (of Potter & DeGraff), general merchandise, Oakland, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., March 27, 1855. He is the son of L. B. and Hitty (Wenzell) Potter. His father was born in Fitzwilliam, Cheshire Co., N. H., December 15, 1815, and was a school teacher in his native State. He afterward kept a meat market and packed pork in Fitchburg, Mass. In 1839, he came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged in the manufacture of butter, and later in the manufacture of cheese. he is now living a retired life near the latter city. His (subject's) mother was born in Framingham, Mass., July 26, 1820; she died in Wisconsin October 27, 1864. Our subject received a common school education, and for one year afterward was a student in the English department of Ripon College, Wis. At the age of seventeen, he was sufficiently advanced in all English branches to enter college, and so began the study of Latin and Greek in the preparatory department of the Beloit College, Wis. After pursuing his studies at this place for one year, he was compelled to leave, together whith many of his fellow-students, on account of an eye-sore which appeared to come in the form of an epidemic. From the effects of this disease, our subject never sufficiently recovered to resume his studies. He subsequently taught school for four or five years in Wisconsin and this State. He came to this county in 1876, and after teaching for a time, he took half-interest in business with J. L. Caldwell. In May, 1880, Mr. Caldwell sold his interest to M. J. DeGraff, a brother-in-law to our subject, being married to his sister. Our subject was married in Council Bluffs, November 29, 1881, to Miss M. J. Wood, born in 1856. She is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Potter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.260)
THE CITIZENS’ BANK OF OAKLAND was first organized by S.S. RUST in October 1883; succeeded by RUST & POTTER in March 1884. The Bank of Oakland, organized in January 1882, by W.H. and B.F. FREEMAN, continued until February 1885 when it was consolidated with the Citizens Bank and called by the latter name, under the present firm of W.H. FREEMAN, President; S.S. RUST, Vice President; L.F. POTTER, Cashier, B.F. FREEMAN, retiring, and with a capital stock of $30,000. They have increased their stock and real estate loans and in 1885 erected a fine brick block, 22 ½ X 50 feet and two stories high, in which they now carry on their business. They have a fine timelock and automatic bolt work on their safe, and also all the latest improvements that make a commodious and a thorough banking outfit. They exchange with Council Bluffs, Davenport, Chicago and New York, and have at the present time a cash capital of $36,000 with a surplus of $15,000, making a working capital of $51,000. They are live, energetic and self-made men, and by their honesty and integrity have won the high place in the hearts of their many friends, both in business and social relations.
L.F. POTTER, the cashier, was born on a farm near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 27, 1855, the son of L.B. and Hitty (WENZEL) POTTER, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and of Scotch-English extraction. Our subject was educated in the Wauwatosa village schools and completed his education in the Ripon and Beloit (Wisconsin) colleges. He taught school several terms and in 1879 came to Oakland, Iowa, and bought a one-half interest in a general store for $488 making the firm of CALDWELL & POTTER, which later became POTTER & DeGRAFF. This venture, though small, proved very successful and resulted in a rapidly increasing trade. In March 1884, Mr. POTTER sold his interest in the store to his partner, and became a partner and cashier in the Citizens Bank of Oakland, which position he still occupies. He has been the active manager of the business since his connection with it, and the prosperity of the institution is due to his untiring energy. Under his management the bank has never lost a dollar on discounts or in any other way, a record unequaled perhaps by any other bank in Iowa. He has been Mayor of the town and takes a great interest in her prosperity.