West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
ACROSS ATLANTIC IN A SAILING VESSEL

(Bio. for John Potter)

The genial Uncle John Potter who occupied the tailor's bench for many years in the rear of the McClun Bros. clothing establishment, and was part of the business, was born in Leeds, England, in 1819. He crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which was one of the last to be provisioned by the passengers. This vessel was becalmed, ran out of food, and John Potter with two companions were the only passengers who survived the voyage and landed in the United States.

In Toronto, in 1844, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Dixon. In 1867, he with his family came to West Liberty where he remained until his death in 1897.

He and his descendants have been in continuous business in West Liberty for four generations.

Two of John Potter's children are living in West Liberty, Miss Myra Potter and Mrs. Adelaide Stober.

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