George A. Potter, a farmer of Fenton Township, is a native of Whiteside County, as he was born May 3, 1849 in Lyndon Township. He is the son of Martin M. and Salena (Perry) Potter. His father came to Whiteside County in the summer of 1837. He was born Oct. 28, 1812, in Richfield, Ostego Co., N.Y. and was the son of George and Alsarah Potter. He lived in his native county principally until 1835, when he went to Aurora, Erie Co., N.Y. where he was employed in a flour mill. While there he made the acquaintance of Diantha, daughter of John C. and Hannah (Olds) Pratt to whom he was married Nov. 28, 1836. In August 1837 he accompanied the parents of his wife to Whiteside County. Martin M. Potter resided near Prophetstown, in Lyndon Township, for four years, when he bought a farm int he township of Unon Grove, upon which he made his home for another four years. He then sold the place and was an occupant of the J.C. Pratt farm until 1851, when he bought a farm on section 25, township 20, range 4, which is now the township of Fenton. He bought additional land on sections 23 and 24, until he wsa the proprietor of 395 acres. He resided on his estate until his death Nov. 10, 1884. He was married July 22, 1847 to Salena Perry. She was born Jan. 22, 1831 in Amity, Allegany Co., N.Y. and is a daughter of Calvary P. and Lydia (Robins) Perry, natives respectively of Vermont and Massachusetts. The first wife of Mr. Potter, who died Nov. 2, 1846 was the mother of four children - ELiza J., born Oct. 17, 1837 and mrried D.P. Perry who lost his life in the military service of the U.S. and who left two children. She afterwards married George McKnight, and died June 6, 1870; Dewitt Clinton lives in Shelby Co., Iowa; Charles W. is a resident of Brown Co. Neb. He served four years in the army and is now a prominent and influential citizen where he lives; James Madison was born March 6, 1843 and died Oct. 12, 1846 in less than a month before his mother's death.

There were eight children by the second marriage. George A. is the occupant of the homestead; Florence L. mrried Nelson W. Stone, and they live in Adair Co. Iowa; Emery D. was born Feb. 17, 1856; he married Lettie, daughter of Fred Hille and died Jan. 10, 1884 in Harlan Iowa; Sarah S. is the wife of Caleb B. Smith and lives in Fletcher, Sac Co., Iowa. Frank Martin born Sept. 5, 1860 died Jan. 16, 1884, six days after his brother; John F. lives with his mother; Mary, born Nov. 27, 1868 died Dec. 26, 1868.

Martin M. Potter was one of the ablest, most public-spirited of the early citizens of the county. His entire career was one undeviating record of usefulness and integrity. He was justice of the Peace nearly all the time he lived in Fenton Township, and was active in every project for the promotion of the general welfare of the public. He is remembered for his worth and excellent character.

Mr. Potter of this sketch, is a worthy son of a worthy sire. He grew to the estate of manhood on his father's farm and acted as an assistant on the homestead and attended school. He was married March 4, 1874 to Emma C., daughter of Humphrey and Susanna P. (Whitlock) Thompson. She was born in Ohio. They settled on a portion of the Potter homestead, which is now their property. The following is a record of their children - Ethie born Jan. 25, 1875 and died March 27, 1875; Lena M., born March 4, 1876 died March 15, 1881; Georgia L. and Mabel O. are living; Earl T. was born Nov. 14, 1881 and died Sept. 30, 1883.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - History of Whiteside County Portraits & Biographical Pg. 642