Dallas Co., TX - Bios: John P. Potter ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Robert Bennett USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** John P. Potter (27 Feb 1827 - 08 Jan 1899) Biography on pages 644-645 in Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1892, ) Transcribed on 26 Mar 2005 by Robert Bennett JOHN P. POTTER dates his birth in Bedford County, Tennessee, February 17, 1827. his parents, William and Jane (Kinby) Potter, were born in the years 1800 and 1803 respectively. In 1848, when John P. was twenty- one years of age, the family moved to Texas and settled in Smith County. They started South in wagons, but when they reached the river found their loads were too heavy, so they shipped the family and goods by boat, John P. and his father continuing on the journey with the teams. The senior Mr. Potter bought land in Smith County and remained there until his death, which occurred in August, 1851, at the age of fifty-one years. April 3, 1851, John P. Potter was united in marriage with Martha A. Oden, who was born in Texas, July 11, 1835, her father, Kinchen Oden, having moved with his family from Illinois to Texas that same year. Mr. Potter first took a headright of 320 acres and improved it to some extent. He subsequently sold out and moved on a portion of his father's land. He next bought a farm in Tarrant County, engaged in the stock business and remained there two years. Disposing of his stock and land, he moved back to Smith county, and from there came to Dallas county, in 1861, and bought property near Haught's Store, where he now lives. At different times he added to his first purchase until his landed estate numbered 1,000 acres. As his children grew up he divided his land among them, retaining 600 acres for himself. About half of this is under cultivation and all is well fenced. Scattered over his estate are tenant houses, and as a proof of his kind treatment of and just dealings with his tenants we state that some of them have been with him fifteen years: During the Civil war Mr. Potter enlisted in the army, in 1863, ruder Colonel Terrell, was in several battles and skirmishes and served until the war was over. Returning home, he again took up his agricultural pur- suits. During his absence much of his stock had been taken by the Confederate soldiers. Mr. Potter's wife died on the 24th of April, 1872, aged thirty-seven years. She had borne him nine children, whose names are as follows: William L. and Elizabeth, both now deceased; Lecie J., wife of D. C. Landess; Mary B., wife of J. M. McKinzie; Sarah F., wife of W.H. Lumby; John K., deceased; Frank 0.; Robert D.; and Martha E., deceased. In 1874 Mr. Potter was again married, this time to Mrs. Jane Hill, nee Porter. Mr. Potter says that when they came to Texas they had little use for money. Yearlings were legal tender. If a man owed another $5 he gave him a yearling calf. All he has Mr. Potter has made for himself since he came to Texas, with the exception of a few hundred dollars which were left to him at his father's death. Having lived here forty-three years, he may justly be ranked with the pioneers of the State: For seven years he has served as Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Potter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ADDITIONAL NOTES; Mr. and Mrs. Potter are buried in Potter Cemetery, Mesquite, Dallas County, Texas.