Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-03-15
THOMAS J. POTTER DEAD.
The Well Known Iowa Railroad Man
Passes Away at Washington.

WASHINGTON. March 0.-Thomas j,
Potter, Vice President of the Union Paci.
tic railway, died at Welker's Hotel. In
this city, at 1880 o'clock this morning.
Mr. Potter came here in his private car.
ON his way TO Florida, about two weeks
ago. lie was afflicted with dropsy OF the
heart. and travel from Iowa TO Washing.
ton SO fatigued him that 1t was deemed
advisable Ia make short stop to afford
rest From the time Of his arrival here
Mr., Potter began to sink, and for n day
or two past his friends entertained no
hope Of his recovery. The remains will
be taken to Burlington, his old home, ON
the special car tonight.
SKETCH OF Ills LIFE,
Thomas ]. Potter was born In Carroll
county Ohio. August 10 1910. His parents
were John and Nancy Potter Tho
family removed from Ohio TO Oltumwa,
Iowa, some time about 1853 Up to this
time, he had been reared on a farm. He
received common school education,
His parents were old school Presby.
terlans, His first engagement In the rail.
road sphere was in July. 1862, rs axman
In an engineer corps under Henry Thielscn
for the Burlington \ Missouri River
railroad In the early part OF 1862 he
resigned and enlisted as n private in
Company "a" Seventh Iowa Cavalry.
lie was honorably discharged from the
army In June, 1865, having been promoted
from private to First Sergeant, thcn
Sergeant, Major, Second Lieutenant. First
Lieutenant and then Captain, llo was
married TO Miss Jane Wood ct Ottumwa
during the time he was In the army and
took his bride with him out
on the plains In the vicinity Of
Fort Kearney and Fort Collins Nebraska.
where his regiment was stationed in the
campaign against the Ogallala Sioux
| Upon his return from the west he was
| for time clerk in the p0Stonlcc ut OF.
iumwa, then was employed by Fish n
| Wightman. commission merchants Of
| Eddyvillc until the completion ~ the
burlington h Missouri railroad 10 Albin
In 1867. when he was appointed station
agent ut that place In 1850 he was made
Chief Clerk of tho Roadmastcrs depart
mcnt under Captain Warren Bcckwith
with headquarters ut Burlington In nj.
dition 10 this he was fuel agent for the
road and also had charge Of the In pection
of all timber, such ~ ties, piling etc
that was purchased by the company. In
1870 he gave up the Chief Clerks posi-,
| ton, and In addition TO his duties a. fuel
agent. he was made agent for the scttle-
ment If stock and personal injury claims,
In March. 1873. after the consolidation
Of the Burlington & Missouri and Chica,
go, Burlington Il Quincy lines, he was
appointed General Agent In charge
Of the Western Iowa Division with head,
quarters ut Crcslon. lie held the latter
position until November, 1875, when he
was made Superintendent of the Iowa
Division with Headquarters at Burllng'
ton. In June. 1873 he was appointed
General superintendent of all the Chicago,
Burlington IL Quincy roads with head
quarters at Burlington. December |. 1870
be was appointed assistant General Mana
ger In addition 10 his duties az General
Superintendent aud his headquarters were
transferred TO Chicago aud November
1880 he was made General Manager
November |. 1881 he was made Third
Vice President and General Manager OF
all the company's lines, and September
1884, was made First Vice President OF
the Chicago, Burlington IL Quincy anG
Burlington & Missouri in Nebraska. as
well as being Vice President Of the fol.
towing Burlington roads! Hannibal 4
St Joe. Kansas City. 81, Joe & Council
Bluffs. st. Louis Kcokuk IL North
western, Chicago, Burlington Il Kansas
City. aud Chicago Il Iowa. In MAY
1887, he left the Burlington, with which
he had been so long identified. to accep
the management OF Union Pacific ant
Oregon Railway and Navigation Com
pany. In politics he was Democrat IL
1880 he was delegate. large anC
Chairman OF the Iowa delegation tina
nominated Gen. Hancock.