US Congressman, Judge. A native of Rhode Island, his family moved to New York when he was a child, and settled in Otsego County. He studied law in Cooperstown, New York, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Otsego County. He moved to Ohio in 1834 and became the first attorney to open a law office in Toledo. He also became a Circuit Court judge in Lucas County. He was then elected as judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the 13th Judicial District of Ohio and served from 1834 to 1843. In 1836, he was elected as the first prosecutor of Lucas County and declined to serve because of a disagreement involving salary, and instead accepted an appointment as the first Postmaster of Toledo while continuing to serve as a state court judge. He resigned in 1843 to accept election as a Democrat to represent Ohio's 5th District in the United States House of Representatives and served until 1845. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1844 and was elected as Mayor of Toledo from 1846 to 1848. He was reelected as a U.S. Congressman in 1848 and worked to establish the Smithsonian Institution while in office. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1850, returned to Ohio, and served as Treasurer of Lucas County from 1851 to 1853. In 1858, he declined an appointment as judge for the Territory of Utah and became the City Solicitor of Toledo in 1861. He also served in the Ohio State Legislature and as President of the Ohio Senate from 1876 to 1878.
US Congressman, Judge. A native of Rhode Island, his family moved to New York when he was a child, and settled in Otsego County. He studied law in Cooperstown, New York, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Otsego County. He moved to Ohio in 1834 and became the first attorney to open a law office in Toledo. He also became a Circuit Court judge in Lucas County. He was then elected as judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the 13th Judicial District of Ohio and served from 1834 to 1843. In 1836, he was elected as the first prosecutor of Lucas County and declined to serve because of a disagreement involving salary, and instead accepted an appointment as the first Postmaster of Toledo while continuing to serve as a state court judge. He resigned in 1843 to accept election as a Democrat to represent Ohio's 5th District in the United States House of Representatives and served until 1845. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1844 and was elected as Mayor of Toledo from 1846 to 1848. He was reelected as a U.S. Congressman in 1848 and worked to establish the Smithsonian Institution while in office. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1850, returned to Ohio, and served as Treasurer of Lucas County from 1851 to 1853. In 1858, he declined an appointment as judge for the Territory of Utah and became the City Solicitor of Toledo in 1861. He also served in the Ohio State Legislature and as President of the Ohio Senate from 1876 to 1878.
Bio by: K Guy
Inscription
Headstone: E.D. Potter. Monument: …..Burial Place of the Family of E.D. Potter. E.D. Potter, Oct 9, 1804-Feb 3, 1896.
Gravesite Details
cemetery ID 86381, interred 1896-02-14, age 91
Family Members
Advertisement
