ict, entered the House at forty-four years of age. The son of
bishop Alonzo Potter and grandson of Peter Nott of Union College, he
had the right by inheritance to the talents with which he was
endowed. After leaving college he devoted himself to civil
engineering, intending to adopt it as his profession, but his tastes
soon inclined him to the law. He was admitted to the bar of New York
in 1847 and in a few years acquired a practice from which he derived a
handsome fortune. He was well adapted to Parliamentary life and
promptly acquired high rank in the House. So unfailing were his
courtesy and kindliness that his personal influence was as great with
the Republicans as with the Democrats, among whom almost from the day
of his entrance he was accorded a leading position.

--Noah Davis took his seat as representative from the strong Republican
district of Monroe and Orleans in Western New York. He early attained
distinction at the bar and had just left the Supreme Bench of his
State, where he had served for eleven years with eminent credit. That
high dignity had been conferred upon him before he was forty years of
age. He did not find service in the House congenial and promptly
abandoned all thought of a legislative career. This was sincerely
regretted by his personal friends, who had knowledge of his ability
and foresaw brilliant success for him should his ambition lead him to
remain in Congress. His subsequent service on the Supreme Bench of
New York has added to an already exalted reputation.

--Henry W. Slocum, who now came as a Democratic representative from
the city of Brooklyn, was a graduate of West Point in the class of
1852, but remained in the Regular Army only about four years. After
his resignation he studied law and was admitted to the bar in
Syracuse. When the civil war broke out he joined the Volunteers and
rose to high rank. He was appointed a Major-General and placed in
command of a corps. His record as an officer was without blemish.
Though allied with the Democrats, he was not a bitter partisan, and
his course in the House was that of an enlightened and liberal man.

--Eugene Hale entered the House from Maine in his thirty-third year.
He began the practice of law as soon as he attained his majority, and
was almost immediately appointed county attorney,--a position which he
held for nine years. His success at the bar was very marked.
Preceding his election to Congress he served in the S