Chickasaw County IA Archives Obituaries.....Potter, Henry Hezekiah January 25, 1918
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Rebecca Frank beckbyea@juno.com February 16, 2008, 5:47 pm

Reporter and Farmer, Webster, Day County, SD, Volume XXXVII, January 31, 1918.
Reporter and Farmer, Webster, Day County, SD, Volume XXXVII, January 31, 
1918.  


H.H. POTTER IS CALLED AWAY

Pioneer Attorney of County Closes Long and Useful Earthly Career

Midnight Funeral Was Held

SERVICES HELD IN MASONIC TEMPLE ON MONDAY AT TWO O’CLOCK ATTENDED BY HOST OF 
FRIENDS FROM COUNTY AND FROM OUTSIDE TOWNS.

Quietly and peacefully at 9:10 o’clock Friday evening, January 25th, 1918, at 
his late home in this city, just as the shades of night were falling, H.H. 
Potter discarded the herediments of earth laid aside the environments of a 
long, honorable and active career and passed through the valley of the shadows 
to the country from whose bourne no traveler returns.  His departure, although 
not unexpected, was a severe shock to the community and caused a pall of 
sadness to rest over the city. 

He suffered a severe siege of grippe about a year ago, which compelled him to 
retire from the active practice of his profession and he spent the summer and 
fall at a cottage at Enemy Swim lake in the hope of regaining his health, but 
every effort of the best available medical attendance and most careful nursing 
of loving hands proved of no avail.  He grew weaker until his reserve of force 
was exhausted.  He fell asleep to awake to another and a better life.

Henry H. Potter was born near Port Huron, Michigan, November 28th, 1842, where 
his youth and early manhood were spent.  He received his early education there 
in the public schools and in the Michigan state schools, later teaching and 
during vacation he studied in a law office to fit himself for his future 
professional career.  Later he moved to Iowa and for several years taught 
school and studied law.  In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Florence L. 
Sommerville.  To this union four children, tow of whom died in infancy.  The 
eldest son, Arvin, died in Webster a few years ago.  Besides his wife, his son 
and business partner, Lew Potter, survive him.

In 1869, H.H. Potter was admitted to the bar in New Hampton, Iowa.  He came to 
the Dakota in 1883, locating in La Beau, where he practiced for two years, 
going from there to Bowdle.  In 1887 he moved to Aberdeen, where he was twice 
honored by being elected state’s attorney of Brown County.  He resided in 
Aberdeen for twelve years; when he moved to Minneapolis in 1899.   But the 
call of the west was strong in him and he returned to South Dakota in 1905, 
forming a partnership with Frank Sears of this city under a firm name of Sears 
& Potter.  On death of Mr. Sears, his son, Lew who had been admitted to 
practice, became his father’s business partner under the firm name of Potter & 
Potter, and continued in business until he was called from his earthly labors 
to join the majority in the great beyond, after a period of forty-eight years 
in the practice of his profession.

Early in life H.H. Potter had established a standard of ethics for his moral, 
business and social guidance, and with that steady determination of purpose 
and scrupulous honesty, of which he possessed, did he, in all walks of 
life, “hew to the line and let the chips fall where they may.”   In other 
words, his every action was governed by his conception of right and he 
followed the dictates of his conscience irrespective of consequences.  He was 
a deep thinker and a never tiring student possessed of a superior intellect.  
What wonder, then, on attaining a ripe old age, that he was a veritable 
encyclopedia on all the important problems of life.  Mr. Potter was one of the 
most brainy, sincere and conscientious gentlemen it has been our privilege to 
know intimately and claim as a friend and advisor.  He was all that became a 
man.  Who is more, are none.

What higher tribute could be paid a man than is accorded Mr. Potter.  When we 
say this country has lost a loyal, worthy citizen, this community an ideal 
friend and neighbor, his family a kind, loving husband, father and companion.  
He lived through a long and useful mortal life, esteemed, honored and 
respected, and leaves a cherished memory that will live so long as one of his 
large circle of friends or acquaintance remain; a heritage to the loved ones 
left behind far greater than all the wealth of a kingdom.

Mr. Potter early in life became a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was an 
honored member of Coteau Lodge No. 54 A.F. and A. M. of this city and of the 
Scottish Rite of Aberdeen.  The latter body, in accordance with their ancient 
custom, held a midnight funeral service Sunday night at the Masonic temple.

The following members from Aberdeen, assisted by a local choir under the 
directo of Mrs. Frankd Adnerson, conducting the service; A.C. Witta, 22; W.E. 
Johnson, 33; H. W. Grifford, J.D. Davis, 33.  John Anderson, Chas. Draeger, 
33, and Ernest C. Brown.  Webster members: L. G. Levoy, 33; A. Kopperud, Lars 
J. Fiksdal, W.F. Harris, R. D. Gardner of Britton and Judge S. Ss. Lockhart of 
Milbank.

The beautiful ritual, perfectly rendered, with the appropriate music and weird 
surroundings deeply impressed the large audience in attendance.  The solemnity 
of the occasion was a fitting tribute to the departed friend and brother, and 
we think was just as he would have desired it.   ....

On the completion of the ritual work, the Master gave an opportunity to anyone 
present to pay tribute to the memory of the departed friend and brother.  Geo. 
Rix of Milbank responded and told of his early association with Mr. Potter and 
his influence on the young men in the practices of his profession, and paid 
respect to his memory on behalf of the Grant county bar.  He was followed by 
R. A. Walton of Aberdeen, who in a few well chosen remarks spoke of his early 
experiences and impressions made by his association as court stenographer and 
later practicing attorney.  He was designated by the members of the Brown 
county bar to speak in their behalf.  Byron Abbott attorney at Britton, 
Marshall county,. The rose and addressed the worshipful master brethren and 
assembled friends.  He opened his remarks with the statement that he had 
probably known Brother Potter longer and more intimately both socially and in 
professional way,  than any person present, outside of his immediate family, 
their acquaintance dating from 1883, when Mr. Potter first came to the state 
and had extended over a period of thirty five years.  He then proceeded to pay 
this friend, whose memory he would honor, the finest tribute we have ever 
heard expressed of any man, and the true ring of sincerity in his delivery 
made his remarks the more appropriate and fitting. 

The casket was literally buried in flowers, tributes of friends and brethren.  
The remains were followed to the tomb in Webster cemetery and laid to rest by 
the sympathizing hands of the brother Mason in the silent city with all due 
reverence and Masonic honors.  

The family have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.  Mrs. Potter is past 
Grand matron of the state Grand Chapter of the Order of the eastern Star and 
will receive the sincere sympathy of every member in her great loss, if only 
for a little while of her life’s companion.  The home circle is broken and in 
the fraternal chain one link, one of the brightest links, is missing and can 
never be replaced in life.  He has joined the innumerable hosts, and his 
Brethren mourn.  But then, faith will dispel the gloom and they will continue 
their labors in this life with the assurance of meeting again in that 
celestial lodge above where the supreme grand architect of the universe 
presides and resume labor on a high plane.


Additional Comments:
HH Potter is the son of Arvin Stratton and Laura Robbins Potter. Practiced law 
for a time in New Hampton before migrating to SD.

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