Biography of David W. Potter

Although this gentleman has not been in Nez Perces County many years, he has nevertheless, been in the vicinity and has done good work in the up building of the country and deserves space in the history of the County, being a good business man, upright, and of sound principles. He was born in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, on August 17, 1851, being the son of Wilber and Maria Potter, natives of New York, born respectively in 1810, and on August 17, 1832. The father died in 1900, and the mother still lives in Minnesota. Our subject worked on a farm and received his education from the common schools of his vicinity.

At the age of twenty five, he left the parental roof and settled on a ranch that he had taken near the home place. For nine years he was occupied there and then went to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and there engaged in the dray business. In 1885 he sold out and came to Peola, in the Blue Mountains. He worked at milling and took up a timber claim in Asotin County and farmed for seven years and then removed to Colton, Whitman County, where he engaged in livery and draying. He was deputy sheriff of that County for a term and constable and marshal of Colton for five years. In the spring of 1902, he came to Lewiston and opened a livery stable, which he is carrying on in a creditable manner. He still owns a fine farm near Colton, and also property in town.

On December 25, 1877, Mr. Potter married Miss Gertie, daughter of Charles White, a native of Michigan, now living in Peola. Mrs. Potter was born in Plainville, Minnesota, on August 18, 1858, and has one brother, Albert, now deceased. Mr. Potter has brothers and sisters, as follows, Charles, in Dakota; Delbert, in Minnesota; Allen, deceased; Harriett, wife of T. Watson, in Los Angeles, California; Alice, deceased; Stella, wife of Charles Works, in Minnesota. Mr. Potter has also the following half brothers and sisters, Albert, who has been assistant secretary of state of Wisconsin; Peter, at Black River Falls, Wisconsin; William, now in Montana, having been wounded in the Civil war; Jasper, wounded in Civil war and now a cripple on account of it; Horace, in the Civil war, now in Minnesota; Julia Hall, in Sparta, Wisconsin; Mary, wife of Thomas Hogue, in Sparta, Wisconsin; Matilda, at Black River Falls, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Potter there have been born three children, Ernest, a soldier in the Philippine war; Harry and Ray, at home.

Mr. Potter is a member of the K. of P., at Colton, Washington. He is a Republican and active in the political realm.

Back to: Nez Perce Biographies

Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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