Aged Resident Passes Away
Robert Potter, one of Sheldon's oldest residents, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Potter, last Thursday morning, December 12. Mr. Potter had reached his 88th year and the past five years of his life have been spent in feeble health. Death was the result of the infirmities of old age.
Mr. Potter was born at Marden, Kent Co., England, September 8, 1830. He grew to manhood on a farm in that country with the meager opportunities that were common to the children of that age. In 1851 he was married at Marden to Sarah Daw, to which union three children were born. James Potter and Mrs. Lucy Reeves, who are now both deceased. One little son passed away in infancy.
In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Potter and their children came to America, first settling in Wisconsin, and later moving to Kane Co. Illinois where they lived until the fall of 1869. During their residence there, a son and two daughters came to gladden their home. They are Mrs. Mary Porter of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Cary Sattizan of Wagner, SD and Thomas Potter of Fayette, IA. All were present to attend their father's funeral. Another little daughter, Nellie passed away at the age of 3 ½ years.
In the fall of 1889, Mr. Potter and family moved with a team of horses from Kane Co., ILL to near LeMars, where Mr. Potter took up a homestead. They made this their home until 1876, when in the fall of that year they moved to O'Brien Township. Mr. Potter purchased a farm near here which is still in the possession of a member of the Potter family, his grandson, Thomas Potter, Jr.
In 1893 the family moved from their farm to this city, purchasing the residence now known as the Mrs. James Potter residence on Washington Avenue. A few years later they returned to their farm where his wife died August 12, 1900.
After the death of Mrs. Potter he made his home with his son James until his death some eight years ago. Since that time he has spent his time with Mrs. James Potter, whose unceasing care and devotion has brightened the old gentleman's declining years.
Besides the three living children he is survived by 16 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and one great=great grandchild.
Mr. Potter was a hardworking man and possessed a splendid physique; he continued his industries late in life. He was possessed of a strong will and even temper and was not easily moved to anger. His life was a model moral life, at no time being addicted to the use of liquor, tobacco or profanity. His mild and kind disposition had endeared him not only to his immediate family but to hosts of friends.
He became a member of the Methodist church while residing in Plymouth Co., later his membership was transferred under the ministry of Rev. Artmann to the M.E. church of this city. His life was lived in according to the teachings of his church and might be termed a model Christian life.