Allen Potter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From 1892'sPortrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties, Michigan | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's4th district | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Julius C. Burrows |
| Succeeded by | Edwin W. Keightley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1818-10-02)October 2, 1818 Galway, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 1885(1885-05-08) (aged 66) |
| Political party | Democratic |
Allen Potter (October 2, 1818 – May 8, 1885) was a politician from theU.S. state ofMichigan.
Potter was born in Galloway (nowGalway, New York) and attended the common schools. He moved toAdrian, Michigan, in 1830 and toJonesville, Michigan, in 1838 where he learned the trade oftinsmith. He moved toKalamazoo in 1845 and engaged in the retail hardware business until 1858, when he engaged in banking and in the manufacture of gas.
Potter was a member of theMichigan House of Representatives in 1857. He also served as president of the village council in 1859, 1863, 1870, and again in 1872. He was elected a member of the board of education in 1867, 1869, and 1871, serving as president in 1869. He was also a member of the board of water commissioners in 1872 and an unsuccessfulLiberal Republican candidate for election to the43rd United States Congress that same year.
Potter was elected as aDemocrat fromMichigan's 4th congressional district to the44th Congress, serving from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1876 and resumed banking activities as well as being financially interested in railroads andColorado mining enterprises.
Allen Potter served as member of the sewer commission from 1880 to 1883 and was elected as the first mayor of Kalamazoo in 1884. He also served as treasurer of the State asylum for the insane. He died in Kalamazoo and is interred there in the City Cemetery.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | United States Representative for the 4th Congressional District of Michigan 1875 – 1877 | Succeeded by |
