LEMAN W. POTTER, M. D., a physician and surgeon of Homer,
N. Y., born in the town of Scott, Cortland County, April 26, 1853. He
attended the district schools of his native town, and then went to
the Homer Academy and the Cortland Normal School. His collegiate course
was pursued at Alfred University, located at Alfred Center, Allegany
County, N. Y., from which institution he was graduated with the class
of 1876. Immediately following his graduation, he taught school,
being principal of the graded school at Hope Valley, R. I., for two
years. He then returned to Homer and began reading medicine with Dr. L.
D. Eaton of Homer village. He obtained his medical education at the New
York Homeopathic Medical College, and commenced the practice of his
profession in Homer in 1881, where he is still located.
Dr. Potter comes from pure English parentage. His
family in America was founded by Nathaniel Potter, who came from the
mother country in early colonial times, and made a home in the colony
of Rhode Island. From this home center, the family has branched out
until its members are found in most of the states of the Union. There
has ever existed a marked predilection for the learned professions in
the family, and many descendants of Nathaniel Potter have made names of
honor for themselves in medicine, in the ministry, and as teachers.
Several others too have found prosperity and good reputation in the
busy marts of trade and commerce. The line of ancestry, that connects
the subject of our sketch with the founder of the family is continued
from Nathaniel through Ichabod, Thomas, Stephen, Stephen, Jr., Ezekiel,
Perry to Leman W., the present representative.
Ezekiel Potter, our subject's grandfather, was born
in Rhode Island, but in boyhood removed to Petersburg, N. Y. There he
lived, labored and in death went the way of all flesh. His faithful
helpmeet was Abigail West. He had married her in Rensselaer County, and
had brought her and his children into Scott township, Cortland County,
in 1819. Mr. Potter was among the pioneer farmers of this section, and
bravely met and sturdily overcame all the obstacles which beset his
way. In early life he had been a miller. He served through the War of
1812 as a " post rider," and won distinguished honors. He was
politically a faithful member of the Whig party, and filled many local
offices. Mr. Potter was essentially a religious man, and a strong
supporter of. the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Six children composed his
family, among whom was Perry, the father of our subject.
Perry Potter was born in 1818, and as a child of one
year was brought by his father into Cortland County. Here he has lived
his life, giving his time and attention to tilling the soil, and to
wresting from the bosom of Mother Earth wealth and happiness,
Prosperity has been his lot, and he has for years held a place of high
standing and real worth in the community. His family traditions
naturally made him a Whig, and later led him to join the Republican
ranks. He has in his day held many of the local offices. He is a deacon
in the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and is a pillar of strength to the
denomination. His wife's maiden name was Roxanna Burdick, a daughter of
an old and honorable Central New York family. She was born in 1820, and
is still alive. Two sons and two daughters were born to this couple.
Those now living are by name: Harlan, a farmer of Scott township;
Mary, the wife of Arthur Green of Scott; and Leman W., our subject. One
daughter died in infancy.
Dr. Potter, aside from his directly professional
lines, is a very energetic gentleman in the town and county. He is
president of the Cortland County Homeopathic Medical Society, and is a
trustee and president of the school board of Homer Academy. Like his
respected father, he follows the doctrines of the Seventh Day Baptists,
and in politics is a Republican. He wedded, in 1876, Miss Nellie
Phillips, a daughter of Ezekiel Phillips of Richmond, R. I., and now is
the father of three children: Winfred; Carroll; and Bertha.
Dr. Potter is a quiet, unassuming gentleman of a pronounced studious
nature. It is a pleasure to him to keep in step with the wonderful
advances made of late in his profession. There is no new thing that
escapes his attention, and he is quick to grasp and utilize any modern
discovery, which may be used to the advantage of his patients.
Careful and conservative, he is a strict adherent to the ethics of his
craft, and posesses the traits of a true professional worker.