From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 862-864
 
CHARLES H. POTTER.  Could the lives of the first settlers be fully and 
truthfully written what an interesting, thrilling and wonderful tale it would 
be.  Think of the journey to the West, of the hardships of clearing the soil 
and the pleasure of rearing the family.  Think of the pioneer gatherings, of 
the shooting matches, the old subscription schools, the first churches under 
the branches of the trees, the camp meetings, the famous old circuit riders, 
the husking matches, the coon, wolf, fox and bear hunts with dogs, and then 
presume to say that the old settlers did not live happy lives.  Such were the 
experiences of the progenitors of Charles H. POTTER, well known farmer of the 
northeastern part of Walworth county, who is the scion of a worthy old family, 
whose honored name he has striven to keep untarnished.
 
Mr. POTTER was born in Rochester, New York, June 17, 1849.  He is the son of 
Woodruff and Ann (HADLEY) POTTER, the father a native of Wayne county, New 
York, and the mother of New Hampshire.  They grew up in their respective 
communities and were married in 1835 and soon afterward came to Walworth 
county, Wisconsin, locating on one hundred and forty acres of land, now owned 
by the subject of this sketch, and here they spent the balance of their lives, 
the father dying in July 1896, and the mother in 1899.  They were the parents 
of two children, Harrison and Charles H., of this review; the former went to 
Texas in 1859, and during the Civil war he served three  years in the 
Confederate army, and he sill lives in Texas, making his home at Beaumont.  
Politically, the father was a Republican, and active in local party affairs, 
serving in a number of the township offices, such as supervisor and trustee of 
Spring Prairie township.  He and his wife were members of the Free Will 
Baptist church at Honey Creek and were active in church work.
 
Charles H. POTTER was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy, 
attending the common schools in his neighborhood during the winter months, 
later taking a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Milwaukee.  
Early in life he took up farming for a livelihood and has followed this to the 
present time, having been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser 
owning at present one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of two 
hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under a high state of 
improvement and cultivation.  In connection wtih general farming he makes a 
specialty of dairying, being well equipped for this line of endeavor.  He 
keeps an excellent grade of live stock, especially cattle.  He has an 
attractive and modern home and a good set of farm buildings.
 
Politically, Mr.. POTTER is a Republican and he has been assessor of his 
township for a number of years, being still incumbent of that office.  He was 
at one time township clerk, and was a member of the township board.  As a 
public servant he has always performed his duties faithfully and accurately, 
to the satisfaction of the people.
 
Mr. POTTER was married in 1878 to Catherine SCHAUB, who was born in Spring 
Prairie township, this county, on March 1, 1860.  She is the daughter of 
Conrad and Elizabeth (DIEST) SCHAUB, both born in Germany, where they spent 
their early lives, coming from there to Virginia, thence to Walworth county, 
Wisconsin about 1855, and settled on a farm in Spring Prairie township and 
here they spent the balance of their lives.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. POTTER six children were born, named as follows: Jessie, 
deceased; Harry, Sidney, Archie, Ray and Fannie.  The wife and mother was 
called to her rest in 1903 and in 1906 Mr. POTTER was united in marriage with 
Emma STELTER, who was born in Minnesota on November 13, 1875, the daughter of 
Charles and Elizabeth (BARTHOLOMEW) STELTER, both born in Germany, from which 
country they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, she in 1858, he at a later 
date.  They then went to Minnesota, and in 1876 returned to Walworth county, 
where the father's death occurred in 1901; his widow still survives.
 
Mr. POTTER has resided in Spring Prairie township since he was six years of 
age with the exception of two years, 1871 and 1872, spent in Beaumont, Texas.
 
Submitted by Carol