H. C. Potter, farmer, P. O. Griswold, Cass County, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 17, 1816; his father, William Potter, born in Boston, Mass., in 1780, settled in Western New York on a farm, where he died in 1864; he served a short time in the War of 1812. Subject's mother, Charity (Skinner) Potter, born in Kings County, N. Y., in 1790, was the mother of thirteen children, of whom but five are living; she died in 1846.

Mr. Potter began life on his own responsibility in Erie County, N. Y., farming the old homestead, which he had purchased of the heirs. This he sold, and came to Iowa in 1852, settling in Jackson County, near Andrew. He remained on this farm for four years, then moved to Minnesota; remained eleven years; returned to Lucas County, Iowa; farmed a rented farm three years, then came to where he now lives; bought the land, but lived on a rented farm for three years, while improving the present homestead, which consists of 255 acres, valued at about $30 per acre.

Mr. Potter married Miss Caroline Parmely, of Erie County, N. Y., in October, 1841. She was born in Erie County, N. Y., in January, 1823; her father, Lemuel Parmely, born in 1779, in Maine, died in 1868; her mother, Sally (Brown) Parmely, born in Vermont about 1789, died in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have had seven children, of whom five are living: Ray S., Clark, Sally M., Ellen B. and William.

Mr. Potter has served his township as Justice of the Peace; has been Township Assessor for six years, and Township Trustee for several years, thus being a very active and useful citizen. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always votes the straight Republican ticket.