The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-27
HEART FAILURE
Col. / NJ. Potter OlsS Suddenly
Yesterday After Short ILLNESS.

Following closely upon the deaths OF
Richard "A. Deming and Isaac H. South
wick. Jr, came the announcement late
yesterday afternoon OF the sudden death
from heart failure OF Colonel Isaac NJ
Potter. president OF the Commercial Ma
tlonal bank. and senior partner OF the
firm OF Potter & Buftinton, manufact-
uring jewelers..
While the death OF Colonel Potter was
a great surprise TO the people Of the city
in general 1t was not entirely unexpect-
ed by his physicians and family. for he
had been suffering from heart trouble for
some time.
Last Monday he attended a meeting of
the baord OF directors OF the bank and
while there was taken with a slight at
tack and was conveyed TO his home,
where he remained to the time of his
death.
He felt considerably better yesterday
afternoon and was able 10 sit UP. He was
seized with a bad spell about O'Clock
and DR.. Peckham was summoned. but
Colonel Potter died before the arrival or
the physician.
Isaac NJ Potter was born in the village
OF North Scituatc Aug. q 1888. His par
ents were John and Mary Arnold Pot
ter. He received his education at Smith
willie Seminary, afterward known as Lap
ham Institute. At about 20 years OF age he
came 10 Providence and learned the 5cw-
elers trade. A partnership was formed In
1856 with Albert W. Delanah, and the firm
engaged i'm the manufacture of general
line OF gold jewelry.
When the war of the Rebellion broke
out in 1861 Mr.. Potter went 10 the front
as a private in the FIRST Rhode Island
4 Hlg.f nFnlf lflf
ment. At the expiration of mis- term OF
service he re-cnlisted In the Fifth Rhode
Island, was successfully promoted To
captain major and lieutenant colonel He
was wounded in the right hand by bull
let at Roanoke Island.
Returning TO this city at the close of
the war, he associated himself with Fred
w Symonds under the firm name OF Pot
ter & Symonds, in 1905. and again engaged
in the manufactl.y II jewelry. Three
years later Mr.. symonds sold his interest
TO John w. Buffinton, and since that
time the firm has existed and fiourished
under the name Potter q Buffinton.
Colonel Potter was prominent in Grand
Army circles and had served president
of te veteran associations corrected with
both the First and Fifth regiments.
He was a member Of the general assem-
bly, in 1875 and 1876. lie was a presidential
elector. a delegate 10 one Of the Repuhli-
can National conventions and for several
years next preceding Gen Brayton's oc-
cupancy OF the position. he was member
of the Republican national committee
from Rhode Island. He was president OF
the Commercial Bank, director In the
Narragansett Electric Lighting company
and an influential member OF the board
of trade. lie was a member of What
Cheer lodge. No 81, OF Masons. and be-
longed to the Pomham club.
Oct 2S, 1875. Col. Potter was married TO
Miss Josephine Il. Arnold. who survives
him. one child. Gladys a. Potter, was
1 born to them, but died before reaching
mature years He was the youngest OF a
family Of eight children, OF WHOM two
brothers and one sister are now living.
The surviving brothers are Philip \. OF
| Denver. COL and John w. OF this city.
| Miss Caroline Il. Potter OF Providence Is
| the only surviving sister.
Among business men, his associates
| and citizens In general Colonel Potter
was known as a man OF the strictest In
| tegrity He had a host Of friends and was
known TO have performed many charits-
| BILE acts 10 which very few other than the
recipients were aware OF.