Martin M. Potter was born at Richfield, Otsego Co NY Oct 28, 1812 and came to Whiteside county August 11, 1837, settling first at Prophetstown ferry, where he remained 4 years and then moved to Union Grove, where he also remained 4 years and then returned to Prophetstown ferry. Here he lived until 1851, when he settled on his present farm in Fenton. Mr Potter married his first wife, Miss Diantha D. Pratt, sister of James M. Pratt in Aurora, Erie County NY November 28, 1836. By this marriage he had the following children: Eliza Jane, born October 17, 1837; DeWitt Clinton, July 25, 1839; Charles W. October 19, 1841 and James M. March 6 1843. His wife died on the 2nd of November 1846 and on the 22nd of July 1847 he married his second wife, Miss Selina Perry.

The following have been the children by this marriage: Geroge A. born May 3, 1849; Florence L. June 20 1851; Henry C., September 22 1853; Emory D., February 17 1856; Sarah S., March 9 1858; Frank M., September 5 1860; John F., July 11 1866 and Mary, November 27 1868. The eldest of the children by the first wife, Eliza Jane, married David P. Perry, who died while in service druring the late war, leaving her a widow with two children. She afterwards married Geo. McKnight and died Jun 6, 1870. James M. died October 12, 1846 and Mary December 26, 1868. DeWitt C. Married Harriet Brown and is a resident of Shelby Co IA. Chas W. married Harriet Shorrett, and also lives in Shelby County Iowa; George A. married Emma M. Thompson and lives in Fenton; Florence L. married Nelson W. Stone and lives in Prophetstown; Henry C. married Phoebe M. Richmond and lives in Lyndon; Sarah S. married Caleb B. Smith and lives in Lyndon; Emory D., Frank M., and John F. reside at h ome. Mr. Potter was one of the first Justices of the Peace elected in Fenton and has held the office almost uninterruptedly since. He has also frequently been School Trustee, and School Treasurer of the town.

When the project was started to form an Old Settlers Association with an annual meeting and basket picnic, he was one of the most active and energetic in its advocacy, and to him the success which attended the effort is in a great measure due. His position at these yearly gatherings of WHiteside's pioneers, is usually that of chairman of the committee of arrangements, which not only involves a great responsibility, but entails a very large amount of labor. These are met by a skill and judgment as creditable to him as they are advantageous to the occasion. Mr. Potter's farm lies on sections 23,24 and 25 and consists of 320 acres, all of which is in a body and is under a fine degree of cultivation. He has also 20 acres of wood land on section 36.

Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 201