From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1462-1463
 
JOSEPH POTTER.  A venerable and honored citizen of Elkhorn, now living in 
retirement after a long and busy life, spending his old age in quiet and in 
the midst of plenty as a result of his earlier years of strenuous endeavor is 
Joseph POTTER, a man of substantial worth, and who as an agriculturist ranked 
among the most enterprising in the township of Lafayette, whither he came when 
Walworth county was in its infant stages of development, but having the 
sagacity to foresee a great future here, decided to remain, and thus he has 
been of benefit to the community in general.
 
Mr. POTTER was born in 1823 in Beakman, Dutchess county, New York.  He is the 
son of Robert K. and Sarah (PINE) POTTER, both natives of Connecticut, the 
father born in 1791 and the mother in 1793, and there they spent their earlier 
years, finally moving to Dutchess county, New York, and in 1843 they emigrated 
to Walworth county, Wisconsin, going by rail from Rochester to Buffalo, thence 
by boat to Milwaukee, where they secured a team and drove from there to 
Walworth county.  The family settled in Lafayette township about three miles 
north of Elkhorn.  Here they bought a farm of two hundred acres, on which was 
some grain and live stock, but was poorly improved.  Here Robert K. POTTER 
worked hard, placed his land in fine conduction and established a good home, 
continuing general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale.  He 
finally sold out to his second son, Joseph, and moved to Elkhorn, retiring 
from active life, and later moving to Lyons, where he spent the remainder of 
his days, dying in 1883, his widow surviving until 1888, each reaching ripe 
old ages.  He was a Republican, and he has served as supervisor of Lafayette 
township.
 
Joseph POTTER, of this sketch, grew to manhood in Dutchess county, New York, 
and there received his education in the public schools.  When about twenty-
four years old he rented his father's farm which he operated a few years.
 
In 1853 Mr. POTTER was united in marriage with Rosanna ELSWORTH, daughter of 
Stuckey and Nancy ELSWORTH, natives of Otsego county, New York.  To this union 
seven children were born, four of whom are still living, three sons and one 
daughter.  The wife and mother passed away in 1869, and in 1872 Mr. POTTER was 
united in marriage with Caroline H. RANDALL, and to this second union two 
children were born.
 
Joseph POTTER came to Walworth county in early manhood and here he has since 
made his home.  He finally purchased his father's farm of two hundred acres 
and has kept it under a high state of improvement and cultivation and for many 
years carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale.  In 
1902 he rented his farm and moved to Elkhorn, where he has since resided, 
having retired from active life.
 
Politically, Mr. POTTER is a Republican, having always been loyal to his 
party.  He was supervisor of Lafayette township and also chairman for some 
time, filling these offices most satisfactorily.  Mrs. POTTER is a member of 
the Baptist church.
 
Submitted by Carol