Clarkson Nott POTTER, Congress, NY (1825-1882)

POTTER, Clarkson Nott, a Representative from New York; born in Schenectady, N.Y., April 25, 1825; completed preparatory studies; graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.,1842; graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a civil engineer, 1843; served as a surveyor in Wisconsin in 1843; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1846 and commenced practice in New York City in 1847; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-first and to the two succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1875); declined to be a candidate for renomination to the Forty-fourth Congress in 1874; elected to the Forty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1879); chairman, Committee on Pacific Railroads (Forty-fifth Congress); declined to be a candidate for renomination to the Forty-sixth Congress in 1878; president of the Democratic New York state conventions in 1875 and 1877; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1872 and 1876; unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1879; trustee of Union College 1863-1882; president of the American Bar Association in 1881 and 1882; died on January 23, 1882, in New York City, N.Y.; interment in Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, N.Y.

Bibliography

Vazzano, Frank P. “The Louisiana Question Resurrected: The Potter Commission and the Election of 1876.” Louisiana History 16 (Winter 1975): 39-57.

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