Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-03-22
DEATH OF GEN. JAMES POTTER

Our citizens were startled yesterday
morning by the announcement of the sud
den death, in his room at Bottoms hotel of
General James Potter, Of Lewistown, Mif
fin county, one of the most widely known
and highly esteemed gentlemen in the in
terror, or, indeed, the state. He had not
been in very good health for several weeks,
and for the previous day or two seemed
quite low spirited and depressed, remarking
10 friend oniy day before his death that
be was not feeling al al we'll but could not
tell what was the matter About half-past
nine o clock Thur day evening Gen james
Burns, his lifelong friend and companon,
called to see him. aud upon sennng i. ser
want to his room he was found upon the
floor in commissions AMI unconscious in
which state he has remained until his dc III,
which occurred at ele7e clock. TIE best
medical attendance was promptly summond,
All DrS. Rutherford and Crawford were
unremittng in their eudeavors to alleviate
his oniitIon, but the bolt had fallen 100
surely, aud in "A lew hours after the fatal at
tack the vital spark ex met. Only that
morning the writer whose sad dnty it is to
chronicle his death IN the prime OF life and
usefulness conversed with him, and we
seem to still hear his cheerful greeting and
kind words Bat the lips that rarely gave
utterance to aught out kindly wishes, and
the great, genial loving h5art are cold and.
stark in that long dreamlesS sleep that only
the arch angels trump can waken.
General Potter belonged to a historic
fdmily-one OF the oldest and at one time
the wealthest in the state. His grandfather
General James Potter, was a major general
in the Revolution, and for several years an
officer On the staff of Washington. He
possessed the entire conf dence of has COM
mander-in chief, and at the close of the
revolutionary struggle was sent at the head
of detachment of roops into central Penn
sylVania to oyerawe the Indians and pro-
tect the settlers. Potter's fort, in Penns
| valley, Centre county, was built and forti
| fed by this expedition, and at the tsrmina
| ton of The Indian troubles the commander
was so charmed with the natural beauties
and advantages of that region that he took
| up his permanent residence near the site of
| the "Old Fort" and here the subject OF this
! sketch was born. At an early age he EN- =
| barked in business and for several years
| was highly succ essful as an iron manufac-
/ turer as wall as in other manufacturing and
commercial enterprises. But reyerses swept
away his large fortune, aud at the time OF
his death he was comparatively poor. Per-
| haps no man in the commonwealth has IL
larger circle of acquaintance or was moe
universally esteemed by his friends Warm
hearted, generous and true, the possessor of
| a cool, clear. intellectual organization, he
was valued friend and trusted counselor
and to those who knew him best, his loss
cannot easily be supplied. He was broth.
er-in-law of j. V. Cliswel, Esq, of tbi:
city, and was connected by marriage with
many of the leading families of the state
His remains will be taken to his home in
MVeytown to-day. At the time of his
death General Potter was in the fifty fourth
year of his age.
"Llfe'S ftful fever over, he sleeps we'll
daily Patriot, Harrisburg, Pa:
General Potter came to this city from
Pennsylvania some eighteen years ago, and
resided here for space of about eleven
years. During his residence here, severa
OF the present railroad lines were built into
| the city. Gen. Potter took the co tract fol
grading the Milwaukee & st. Paul Railway
then the Milwaukee and Watertown-some
miles out from Walertown, towards Geo
nomowoc. Besides this contract he done
the grading on the Watertown and Madison
Railroad between this city and Waterloo
Daring the administration of President
Buchanan Gen. Potter received the appoint
ment of Post Master of this city, position
he held for II Early one year, being succeed
ed by Mr.. Peter Rogan. General Potter's
death will be learned with deep sorrow by
large circle of friends and acquaintance
here. AS TO his qualities Of mind ano
heart we can add nothing to the high tri-
butte paid his memory in the obi taary notice
! ropse1 ahcra