Potter, Simeon Veeder 1841 - 1910

POTTER, FIELD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/18/2023 at 10:45:29

Source: Decorah Republican April 21, 1910, P3 C5

OBITUARIES.
SIMEON VEEDER POTTER
At Calmar on Friday morning last, at seven o’clock, after an illness of nearly ten weeks. Mr. S. V. Potter passed away, death being the result of illness following an attack of neuralgia of the heart. Early in February while engaged in his work as agent of the Milwaukee road in Decorah Mr. Potter contracted a cold which was followed by neuralgia and for a week he was confined to his room. As soon as he was able to get out he went to his home in Calmar where a severer attack of neuralgia followed. Since that time he has been under the care of O. C. Olson but he daily weakened until the end came.
Simeon Veeder Potter was born on March 1, 1841, at Fort Plains, N. Y, and while a small lad came west with his parents. They lived for a short time at Detroit, Mich., later coming to Rio, Wis. where the deceased taught school. When his father purchased a farm on Fountain Prairie Mr. Potter helped in its management for a few years. In 1863 he enlisted in the 22d Wisconsin infantry, serving to the end of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of second lieutenant.
In 1865 he came to Calmar and entered the employ of the Milwaukee railroad as clerk in the depot. Three years later he became agent at Calmar and remained there a dozen or more years, when he was promoted to fill a vacancy that had occurred in the agency at Decorah station, and here he has since remained.
Prior to his service in the army, at Beaver Dam Wis., on February 21, 1862, Mr. Potter was married to Carrie M. Field, to whom he was a devoted and loving husband. Their only child, Allie May, died several years ago.
During the long years of Mr. Potter’s service with the railroad he proved in many ways his capacity both as an employe and as a citizen. He learned early in his career that to serve the public in the very best way was for the best interests of the company and to his ability in this direction he added a native kindly, genial courtesy that made friends—warm loyal friends—both for himself and for the railroad. His business ability was recognized by his election as mayor of Calmar and as a member of the school board, while he held other positions of trust and for several years was postmaster also. Though not a member of any religious denomination his influence was always to be found upon the side of Christian citizenship and in quiet acts of charity and helpfulness to the needy or those less fortunate than himself he proved his faith in the Golden Rule.
In the death of Mr. Potter both Decorah and Calmar feel that a friend of exceeding worth has been taken. He maintained his home at Calmar almost continually while agent at Decorah but for all that he was regarded as much a citizen here as there and both towns joined in mourning on Sunday last when the last rites were conducted. About one hundred and fifty, representing nearly every business institution, went from Decorah by special train to attend the funeral, which was held at the Methodist church in Calmar at two o’clock. Dr. Mahlon Willett of the Decorah Congregational church conducted the service, the music was rendered by the Calmar choir and comrades of Col. Hughes Post were in charge at the grave. A wealth of cut flowers and floral emblems betokened the high regard in which the deceased was held and was a silent expression of the sympathy that is felt by all for Mrs. Potter in her bereavement.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he died April 15, 1910 and is buried in the Calmar City Cemetery.

Calmar City Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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