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PORTER. POTTER. 43/ worked on the farm in summer, attended school in the spring and fall, and taught school during the winter. Later on he left the farm and school for a counting-room m Boston. At the end of one year's engagement in Boston, on account of the failing health of his wife, he returned to Rowe, where he finally settled as a farmer. He at once was called upon to serve the town in vari- ous municipal offices — member of the school board, selectman, etc. He served as chairman of three boards for ten con- secutive years. He has been a justice of the peace since 1874. VANIAH M. PORTER. In 1881 he represented the 6th Franklin representative district in the General Court, and served on the committees on liquor law and election laws. He reported the bill that became the local option law. He was re-elected the next year, and served as House chairman on the joint stand- ing committee on agriculture. This com- mittee did much to forward agricultural interests and improve the condition of the Agricultural College. Upon the death of his father (1869), he settled the estate, and now resides on the old homestead in Rowe. Mr. Porter was married in 1853 to Mary Driscole of Stanstead, Canada, by whom he had three children : Louise M., Carrie S , and Jennie R. Porter. He was married the second time in New York, October 10, l8 75. to J ane H. Morley of Colrain. Of this union were two children : Vaniah N. and Anna May Porter. Mr. Porter has been agent for the town of Rowe several times ; president of a council of sovereigns ; a councilor of that district ; and an active member of the American Institute of Civics. POTTER, IRA G., son of Bartholomew and Keziah (Glazier) Potter, was born in Willington, Tolland county, Conn., April 21, 1815. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Willington, and then turned his attention to farming. Success- ful in this vocation, he became prominent in town affairs, and has served his town, county and state in various official capaci- ties. He has held the commission of justice of the peace forty years, and special trial jus- tice for eastern Hampden three years. He was one of the incorporators of the Palmer Savings Bank, and held the office of trustee fifteen years, declining further services thereafter. He was special county com- missioner for Hampden county nine years; was a member of the House of Represen- tatives in 1 S7 r ; was selectman and asses- sor several years, and is now somewhat largely interested in settling estates, hav- ing already adjusted some eighty-six in number. These responsibilities, with his farming interests and various official du- ties, have rendered his life a very busy one. Mr. Potter was married in Monson, in April, 1842, to Almeda, daughter of John Isham and Mary Bingham Potter. Of this union are two children : Lurin John and Arvilla J. Potter. His residence is Wilbraham. POTTER, Warren Bailey, second son of Jonathan and Cynthia H. (How- ard) Potter, was born in Westport, Bristol county, November 4, 1821. The family took up their residence in New Bedford in 1S22, where Mr. Potter, until his fifteenth year, obtained his edu- cation in the public schools. At fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to Joseph Balch, then a leading druggist in Provi- dence, R. I., and served two years, re- turning to New Bedford and becoming- engaged to Drs. Stone & Mackie, where he followed the drug business for three years more, perfecting himself thoroughly in all its branches.