Person Information

  • Show Citations

    John Fox Potter

    Birth: 5-11-1817

    Death: 5-18-1899

    Nickname: Bowie Knife

Biography

Born in Maine. Studied law and practiced in Wisconsin where he established a political career. Member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Wisconsin from 1857-1863. Delegate to Republican National Convention in 1860 and 1864. Involved in aborted duel with Roger A. Pryor in 1860 that earned him the title "Bowie Knife" Potter. Frances "Fanny" Seward references him in a sermon she heard in Washington, D.C. in her 1860 diary. 

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Born in Maine. Studied law and practiced in Wisconsin where he established a political career. Member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Wisconsin from 1857-1863. Delegate to Republican National Convention in 1860 and 1864. Involved in aborted duel with Roger A. Pryor in 1860 that earned him the title "Bowie Knife" Potter. Frances "Fanny" Seward references him in a sermon she heard in Washington, D.C. in her 1860 diary.
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/P000465
Title of Webpage: 
John Fox Potter - Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 - 11:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 - 11:15
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
ancestry.com
Title of Webpage: 
Ancestry
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 - 11:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 - 11:15
Citation Notes: 
Source Information Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Death Index, 1820-1907 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000. Original data: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Wisconsin Vital Record Index, pre-1907. Madison, WI, USA: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Vital Records Division Wisconsin Historical Society. Pre-1907 Vital Records Collection. Madison, WI, USA: Wisconsin Historical Society Library Archives.