Chickasaw County IA Archives Obituaries.....Potter, George H February 6, 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca Frank beckybea@juno.com February 16, 2008, 2:36 pm New Hampton Gazette, Thursday, February 6, 1913 "Death of G.H. Potter Occurs at Bassett." New Hampton Gazette, Thursday, February 6, 1913. Prominent Citizen of Western Part of County Passes Away After a Long Illness. George H. Potter, a well known resident of Bassett, passed away at the home of his son, O.H. Potter, Thursday, Feb. 6, 1913. An attack of la grippe settled on his lungs and he slept for a few days then entered the life beyond. Mr. Potter was born Oct. 31st, 1834, at Bangor, Franklin county, New York. When a young man he settled at Port Huron, Michigan, where he entered the employment of a lumber firm, and later took the office of assistant postmaster in that city, and in a few years entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway as mail agent between Port Huron and Detroit. It was at this time he formed the acquaintance of Thomas Edison, the inventor, who was the newsboy on the train, and he frequently spoke of him and watched with interest his rise from obscurity to a world-known fame. He married Rebecca Haslett Oct. 9, 1858, and owing to failing health from indoor work moved to Iowa in 1866, settling on a farm in Dayton township, Chickasaw County, where he lead a busy life farming, bee-keeping and private dairying. He filled many of the township offices at a time when the services of men of honor and integrity were required the most, as the country was new. He sold his farm some years ago and engaged in the hardware business at Bassett, then sold out to live a retired life. Since the death of his wife three years ago he had made his home with his youngest son, Orlo H. Potter, were his declining years were surrounded with comfort and attention. H leaves four sons, two daughters, eighteen grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. His sons are: Elmer, of Horton, Bremer county; Herbert of Nashua; Edward of Copper Hill, Nevada and Orlo, of Bassett. the daughters are: Mrs. Henry Crooks, Pierre, S.D., and Mrs. Jennie Bigelow, of Bassett. The youngest daughter, Minnie, entered the life beyond some years ago. All of the children, except Edward of Nevada, and Mrs. Crooks, of Pierre were present to pay the last tokens of respect to a loving father. His life was one of honesty, sincerity and helpfulness, and he possessed the esteem of all who were acquainted with him. Funeral services were held at the M.E. church on Sunday, 1:30 p.m. conducted by the pastor, Rev. Oleson and interment was in Coral cemetery. "And ever near us though unseen, The dear immortal spirits tread; For all the boundless universe is life-- there are no dead." "Bassett Citizen Called by Death." New Hampton Gazette, Wednesday, February 6, 1913. Potter. Mr. G. H. Potter passed Away At His Home February 6th. On Thursday February 6th , at his home in Bassett, occurred the death of Mr. G.H. Potter, following a short severe illness. The news came as a shock to the friends of this splendid county citizen, few knowing of his sickness and none prepared to receive the sad news of his death. All that kind and loving relatives and friends could do was done but they could not stay the Angel of Death. His wife had preceded him to the grave several years ago. He leaves a grown-up family. The funeral was held at the M.E. church, Sunday, conducted by Rev. Oleson. Burial took place in the Rowland Hill cemetery. A large cortege of friends followed the remains to the grave. The deceased was one of the county's staunch and highly honored citizen's. His death is deeply mourned by relatives and friends. Additional Comments: George was the son of Sylvester and Polly Stratton,born 31 Oct 1835 in Franklin Co., NY. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/chickasaw/obits/p/potter199nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/iafiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb