Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-21
AN EXEMPLARY DEMOCRAT.
A Centenarian Who Never Used Tobacco
But Voted for Cleveland.

A Centenarian Who Never Used Tobacco,
But Voted for Cleveland.
BRIDGEToS, n. j., July 20.-Michsel
Potter, ofWillOw Grove, Salem county, was
lOl years old Saturday. One hundred Of
his descendents and their friends celebrated
the event. The eentenarian has been in
good health up to few days ago, when he
complained of feeling weak, the oppressive
heat has caused him much suffering. He
He sits up, but did not think it wise TO ven
ture in the grove Saturday. His friends
called at the house and congratulated him.
He was born in Germany on July Is, 1884.
His parents were Henry and Christians Ok
enbsker. His father was potter, and the
family name was changed to Potter after
they came to This country.
Michael Potter married Lydia Richman
on July 81, 1911. Ten children were born
10 them, six of whom are living. The eldest
son, Matthias r. Potter, is Y years old.
The number of descendants living is III,
and the entire number is 23l. The de-
seendants extend to the fifth generation.
The eentenarian has lived in the house
where he took hisbride nearly seventy-foIr
wears AGO. His wife died in 1868.
Mr.. Potter has been q temperate msu all
his life. BE never drank nor used tobacco
in any form. He has been amember of the
Methodist Church of Willow Grove ever
since he was young man. He was sexton
of the church sixty years. He takes great
pride in his record as d Democrat. He
voted for James Madison in 1903. He has
never missed a Presidential election and
has always voted the straight Democratic
ticket, except once, when be voted for Judge
j. 7. Nixon for Congress. he voted for Mr..
Cleveland last fall
President Cleveland was sinyited to attend
the celebration Of his l0lst anniversary.
The following letter from the President was
read in the church at Willow Grove yester-
day afternoon by Schoolmaster Swing:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
July9.
P. V. Csmm, ESQ.,:
DEAR SIR l cannot resist the temptation
to comply with the request contained in your
letter, and to tender through you to Mr.
Potter my congratulations upon his attain
ing the age Of l0l years. / am sure that
ne can Justly Clalun 10 Oe tue OluOob bC1O
crst extant. The fact that adherence to the
principles and faith of that party has not
in Mr.. Potter's hsse been inconsistent with
wonderful longevity ought, | think, to reas-
sure those of our fsllow.citizens who believe
If their professions are reliable that Ameri-
can institutions are in danger from Demo
cratic supremacy 1t is itling and proper
that the neighbors of this aged man should
on the anniversary of his birth cordially
demonstrate their esteem and vsneranon
for one who lived before the Constitution,
and who has seen the growth aud progress
of the country from the beginning But in
the midst of thelr congratulations ihsy may
well renew their pledges OF devotion to the
cause of American freedom and the psrpet
uity Of our Government under the Constitu-
tion With gratitude to God, who has thas
far preserved our national life, and with de-
vout acknowledgements of the power of Him
who holds our destiny in the hollow OF His
hand. Yours sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The letter WAS the source of great pleas
ure to the old gentleman. He says he Is
ready to die noE. He wants 10 die, and Of
ten utters these words: Good Lord, when
will you come? want to go."