From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902.

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Page 746

JOHN M. POTTER, a successful farmer of Ohio County, West Virginia, has 
been engaged in agricultural occupation for a number of years.  He was 
born at Valley Grove, in Ohio County, in 1836, and is a son of Benjamin 
Potter, and a grandson of Weaver Potter.  Weaver Potter was born in 
Pennsylvania, and his death occurred in the West, at an advanced age.  
Benjamine Potter was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and died 
there in 1877, at the age of sixty-five years.  Two sons were left to 
mourn him, namely:  John M., and another, who was a traveling salesman 
for many years and died in 1873. 

John M. Potter was twenty-one years old when he engaged in the teaming 
business.  He continued at that but a short time and then began his 
career as a farmer, which has been his occupation ever since.  He has a 
perfect knowledge of agricultural matters, and has been highly 
successful.

Mr. Potter married in 1861, Anna Jane Pearson, a daughter of John 
Pearson, who was born in Ohio County, and died in 1870.  Anna Jane, 
wife of the subject hereof, died in 1899, aged sixty-two years.  Four 
children were left to mourn her death, namely:  Ella, who is unmarried 
and is keeping house for her father; David B., who was born in 1865, 
married Jennie Moore, and has two children; Charles, born in 1890, and 
Floyd, born in 1893; Mary, who married Elmer Sells and has three 
children, Minnie, born in April, 1887, Mamie, born in 1894, and 
Emeline, born in 1899; and Edward, who was born in 1877, and married 
Lulu Berry in June, 1901. 

The subject of this sketch cast his first vote for Gen. John C. 
Fremont, in 1856, and since that time has voted the Republican ticket.  
He attends the United Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Potter is a highly 
respected citizen of Valley Grove, and his friends in the community are 
many.