Frederick Eugene Potter, M. D., Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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Surname: POTTER
Source:  History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
          by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915

Page 791

     FREDERICK EUGENE POTTER, M. D., who died in Portsmouth,
N. H., November 18, 1902, for years one of Portsmouth's best known
physicians, and a highly esteemed citizen, was born in Rumney, N. H.,
July 3, 1839, the third son and child of Frederick F. and Calista (Lucas)
Potter. He grew up at Suncook, N. H., attending the public schools
and remaining there until he was eighteen years of age. He then en-
tered the medical school of the University of Vermont, where he grad-
uated in 1859 at the age of twenty years. Immediately after his gradua-
tion he went to New York and entered the King's County Hospital,
where he was at the beginning of the Civil War. He was among the
first to offer his services in behalf of the Union, entering the United
States' navy in the medical department. He was aboard the ship "Mon-
ticello" when the attack was made upon Forts Hatteras and Clark,
and participated in their capture. He was soon afterward transferred
to the naval forces operating on the Mississippi river, and was a par-
ticipator in the famous campaign against Vicksburg. He also saw active
service on the Cumberland and Tennessee riverS and took part in the
unfortunate Red River Expedition. The arduous labors and exposure
incident to these campaigns greatly impaired his health, and to relieve
him from service in the field he was appointed as president of the board
of examiners for admission to the naval medical corps, which was at
that time stationed in Cincinnati, Ohio. His nature, however, did not
permit him to avoid labor whenever anything was to be done, and it

Page 792

was found necessary to give him a year's leave of absence in order that
he might regain his health. This year was passed in his native town,
and having been restored to health and strength he again returned to
active service and was sent into Mexican waters at the time when France
was attempting to establish Maxmillian on a throne in that country.
Dr. Potter served seven years on naval squadrons that visited Mexico
and South American ports. He applied for an assignment nearer home
and was ordered to Portsmouth navy yard, where he served four years.
In 1876 he resigned his commission and began the practice of his pro-
fession in Portsmouth, where he remained thus engaged for more than
a quarter of a century with great success. He enjoyed the esteem and
confidence of his contemporaries, both in and out of his profession. He
had a commanding presence and a most pleasing personality, and his
cheerful presence in the sick room was often of greater avail in effecting
a cure than the remedies he administered. He was known as a man
loyal to every duty and he possessed the power to discharge his duties
efficiently. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Massa-
chusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion. He was a regular attendant of
the Unitarian church and in politics was an ardent Democrat. In 1900,
without any solicitation on his part, he was placed in nomination by his
party fOr the high office of governor of the state. He died November
18, l902. Dr. Potter was married October 2, 1873 to Harriet, daughter
of Jeremiah H. and Mary (Thompson) Wilkins, of Pembroke.