Edwin B. Potter (1830-1901)

POTTER, FENN, BLANCHARD, LOCKWOOD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/16/2014 at 18:43:50

From Nevada Representative January 1, 1902

Died by his own hand, Christmas day, December 25, 1901, at Denver, Colorado, Hon. Edwin R. Potter, aged 71 years, 6 months and 14 days.

Mr. Potter's death was the almost instant result of a pistol shot, fired with suicidal intent at his home in Denver on Christmas afternoon, ending a life which, especially in his middle years, had been strenuous and active, and which was closely connected with the history of Story county, in the days when the county was young. Mr. Potter was born at Potter's Hollow, Albany county, New York, June 11, 1830; commenced the practice of law in September 181; was married June 22, 1852, to Emeline J. Fenn, to which union were born two daughters in New York and two sons in Iowa, the former with Mrs. Potter surviving; removed to Nevada in 1857; remained here until 1889, when failing health took him to Denver, wher he thereafter resided.

The years of his residence in Nevada were his period of greatest activity. He conducted here various enterprises, including at different times a newspaper and a hardware store. He entered actively into politics, and at a time when politics was bitter he was the leading Democrat of the county. He triumphed at a special election held in the winter of 1862 and was elected state senator for district which included Story, Boone and other counties; and he accordingly served out the term to which Col. John Scott had been elected in 1850 and which had become vacant by reason of the colonel's going into the army. He was a man of fine presence, good ability and strong convictions; and he was a notable factor in this community until the growing Republicanism of the county gradually pushed aside those who were not so sympathetic with it. With the passing, however, of political strife of war and reconstruction times became more generally good feeling; and whereas personal friendships had been confined within party lines, personal appreciation became general. It was, therefore, with his battles ended and with sincere regret on the part of old time opponents that Mr. Potter moved to Colorado.

It was fitting that his remains should be brought back to Nevada, where they arrived Sunday, accompanied by Mrs. Potter and their grandchildren, Ed. Blanchard and Potter Lockwood. The funeral was conducted from the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon by Rev. Sanford; and the last rites at the grave were by his old brethren of the Masonic lodge in Nevada.

The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Potter are Mrs. H. P. Blanchard of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Mrs. Lant Lockwood of Nevada. Their son Major, it will be remembered, died very suddenly at Nevada in November of this year, and was taken to Colorado for burial.

Mrs. Potter, it is understood, will remain here for a couple of weeks, but will then return to Colorado to break up her housekeeping and will spend the rest of the winter with her daughter, Mrs. Blanchard in Cheyenne.