Allen POTTER, Congress, MI (1818-1885)

POTTER, Allen, a Representative from Michigan; born in Galloway, Saratoga County, N.Y., October 2, 1818; attended the common schools; moved to Adrian, Mich., in 1830 and to Jonesville, Mich., in 1838; learned the trade of tinsmith; moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1845 and engaged in the retail hardware business until 1858, when he engaged in banking and in the manufacture of gas; member of the State house of representatives in 1857; president of the village council in 1859, 1863, 1870, and again in 1872; elected a member of the board of education in 1867, 1869, and 1871, serving as president in 1869; member of the board of water commissioners in 1872; unsuccessful Liberal candidate for election in 1872 to the Forty-third Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1875-March 3, 1877); was not a candidate for reelection in 1876; resumed banking activities; also financially interested in railroads and Colorado mining enterprises; member of the sewer commission 1880-1883; elected as the first mayor of Kalamazoo, in 1884; treasurer of the State asylum for the insane; died in Kalamazoo, Mich., May 8, 1885; interment in the City Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present