Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 94.
 
EDWIN O. POTTER

     Among the able attorneys and prominent and influential citizens of the
Willamette Valley stands Edwin O. Potter, of Eugene, where he has been engaged
in the active practice of his profession for thirty-seven years. During this
period he has not only held a place in the front rank of his profession, but has
also been a distinctive figure in affairs affecting the welfare and progress of
his section of the state and is now serving in the general assembly. Mr. Potter
is a native son of the county in which he now lives and was born on the 25th of
August, 1860. His parents, William A. and Louise C. (Zumwalt) Potter, were
natives respectively of Ohio and Missouri, their marriage occurring here in
1855. William A. Potter crossed the plains to Oregon in 1851, locating in Lane
county, and for a time was engaged in mining. Subsequently he took up a tract of
government land north of Irving, Lane county, where he conducted farming
operations to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1914. He took
an active part in support of the government during the Civil war and organized a
company of cavalry, of which he was made captain, but the company was not called
into active service. He took a deep interest in educational affairs in the early
days and assisted in establishing several schools. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a
republican in his political views. Later in life he gave earnest support to the
prohibition cause and in all his actions he was consistently loyal to his
principles. The mother of Edwin O. Potter was a daughter of Solomon Zumwalt, who
also brought his family to Lane county, Oregon, in 1851. Her death occurred July
13, 1913.
     Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Potter, Edwin O. is the
third in order of birth. He secured his early education in the public schools,
which he attended three months each year. He then entered the University of
Oregon, where he was graduated in 1887, after which he became a student in the
University Law School at Portland, where he was graduated in 1890. He at once
returned to Eugene and has been engaged in the practice of law here continuously
since. His ability as a lawyer received prompt recognition and during the years
of his practice here he has been connected as counsel with most of the important
litigation in the courts of this and neighboring counties. In 1896 he was
elected county judge and served with distinction for one term.
     In 1890 Mr. Potter was united in marriage to Miss Emily Bristol, who was
born in Benton county, Oregon, a daughter of George and Polly (Minton) Bristol,
who were pioneers of this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Potter was born a daughter,
Pauline, who is deceased. Politically Mr. Potter has always been a republican
and has been active in local public affairs. He served as a member of the school
board of Eugene during the period of the erection of the high school building
and he is now serving his second term as a member of the state legislature. He
is a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master
; Eugene Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest ; Ivanhoe
Commandery, No. 2, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander ; Al Kader
Temple, A. A. O. N. M, S., and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the
Lane County Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar Association. A
broad-minded, public-spirited man, he has been true and loyal in every relation
of life and every movement calculated to advance the best interests of his
community has received his wholehearted support. He enjoys a wide acquaintance
and throughout this section of the state commands universal confidence and
respect.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.