The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-11-18
BARRETT POTTER.


common observation, we must not forget the
honorable acts of long and useful life, when
gather around his name.
Judge Potter's first American ancestor was
William Potter, who, with his brother John,
came to this country in 1857, in the company
of Gov. Eaton, and of that eminent clergy
man, the Rev. John Davenport. After re-
naming about year in Boston, they removed
with their venerated pastor to New Haven,
and were among the founders Of that colony.
From William, our deceased friend was the
9th in descent; his father, the Rev. Isaiah, was
one of the FIVE sons of Daniel Potter, ell edu-
Gated at Yale College, Isaiah taking his de-
gree in 1857, in the class with John Iruhioun
and Governor Treadwen of Connecticut ana
the eminent theologian, Nathaniel Emmons OF
Massachusetts. His mother was Eizabeth,
daughter of John Barrett, native OF Boston,
and afterwards distinguished lawyer in Yer
mont. His father was settled in the ministry
at Lebanon, New Hampshire, where his son
Barrett was born May 8, TIT. He was edu-
Gated at Dartmouth college, from which he
graduated in 1906, having Mr.. Chase, after
ward Bishop of Illinois, and uncle of Chief
Justice Chase as one of his classmates.
Having determined upon law as the profess
sion of his life, he commenced his studies
with Benjamin Gilbert, a prominent lawyer
in New Hampshire, and completed them with
his uncle John Barrett, and was admitted to
practise in the autumn of 1901. He immedi-
ately came to North Yarmouth in this state,
and opened an office in November OF that
year, as successor to Bohan p Field, who was
the first lawyer established in that ancient
town, and who had removed to Belfast the
previous year. Here he remained until the
spring of 1905, when he moved to Gorham,
but continued there only year, accepting an
invitation from Salmon Chase to become his
partner in the very extensive and lucrative
Business which that eminent practitioner was
then enjoying, Unhappily for Mr. Potter, his
distinguished associate, MIR. Chase, died of a
sudden attack of bilious fever in August 1896,
and left the burden of large business, and
the guardianship of his two children to this
young man just entering upon his profession.
These circumstances assure us of the ability
and well established character of Mr.. Potter,
which was not shaken or furnished by his
long subsequent career of professional and Off
cial life.
Mr.. Potter sustained the practice which
had thus fallen upon him, by staady applica-
ton, strict integrity and great promptness in
all the details and responsibilities of his bust
ness. AT that time there was large and pro-
fitable practice in Portland and few law
yers to enjoy it. Mr.. Chase and William
Symmes had recently died, and the able
and eloquent Parker had just been appointed
Judge of the Supreme Court, and moved to
Boston. James ID. Hopkins, Stephen Long
fellow, Horatio Southgate and Woodbury.
Storer, jronly remained. But soon new and en-
inent laborers entered the field. Mr.. Melen
from Biddeford, and Ezekiel Whitman from
New Gloucester, moved in to partake of the
rising prosperity of the place, and Orr, Green
leaf and General Fessenden soon followed.
Mr.. Potter excelied in Office duties; he was
not an eloquent advocate, although he did not
decline the advocacy of his own cases, which
he managed with clearness, Intelligence and
good Judgment And he patiently land Sue
cessfully pursued the practise of his profess
SIGN with honor to himself and to the satlsfac-
ton Of his clients, till higher honors awaited
him. In 1891 was chosen member of
the Executive Council of Massachusetts, and
in 1920, on the separation of Maine from the
Old Bay State, he was elected Senator from
Cumberland county to the State Senate
Here he served very faithfully and laborious-
ly as one of the committee on the revision of
the statutes, and in the other arduous duties
Of organizing new state. He was the last
survivor Of that Senate and of the executive
council Of that period. AT the close of this SER
vice, in January 1922, he retired from political
life, and on the election of Judge Paris to the
office of Governor in that year, he was ap-
pointed Judge of Probate for Cumberland
comfy, made vacant by the resignation of
that gentleman. For the quarter of centrl-
ry, d.iring which Judge Potter held this i'm
portant Office, il is due to his memory and
mostjust to say, that more impartial and con-
sciencious discharge Of its delicate and often
embarrassing duties has never been performed.
He retired from it in 1847, at the age OF seven
ty years, with intellect unclouded and natu-
raj force undated.
1t was not only in the department of law
that Judge Potter was successful; he was also
financier OF no mean skill. He MANAGED for
many years the estate of Mr. Chase for the
best interest of his Heirs, which largely accum-
ulated in his hands. In 1925, when the Canal
Bank of this city was Incorporated, he was
elected its first President, having before serv
ed as a Director in the old Bank of Portland.
This Office he held for ten years, faithfully ad-
ministering the affairs of the Institution, and
it may be said ofhim, that such were the hab-
its OF his mind, and SO firm and regular the
principles of his character, that he rounded off
and finished well and quietly whatever he UNI
dertook, and there was no confusion or Earring
in the machinery. -
In 1909, Judge Potter married Anne Storer
o daughter of Woodbury. Storer. and n GRAND
daughter Of Deacon Benjamin Titconoh Tho
lamented death Of this excellent and beau,ifnl
woman in 1924 at the age of forty, was an az
Fiction which weighed long and heavily 1non
her bereaved husband. By her he had four
children: one died in infancy, three daughters
survived, one ofwbom, Mary, became the first
wife of Professor Longiellow, and found an
early grave in foreign land; another, Marga-
ret, is the wife of Peter Thatcher Esq, a re-
spected lawyer in Ro :kland; the Oldest, Eliza,
has had the privilege of administering, through
many years to the declining footsteps of her
honored father.
In taking leave of this venerable man who
has passed through SO long period in the his
tory OF our city, and recurring to his early
ADOPTION, when Portland had population of
only 5oOO-we find him to be almost the last
relic OF the bar of Cumberland, at the time he
entered it. Chief Justice Whitman who olo,,o
remains, became member in 1899 and
survives in hale autumnol o