Alonzo Potter

Alonzo Potter (6 July 1800 – 4 July 1865) was an American bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States who served as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Potter "identified himself with all the best interests of society."

Alonzo Potter was born on July 6, 1800 in Beekman, New York. He was the sixth child of Anna and Joseph Potter, who was a farmer. His ancestors emigrated from England to Portsmouth, Rhode Island in the mid-sixteenth century. There have been in the Potter family two brothers who were Bishops in the Episcopal Church: Alonzo Potter was Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and his younger brother Horatio Potter was Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

The child Alonzo first attended the district school in his hometown. Although he was a "bright" student, he did not care for reading until he read The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Potter was so taken with the story that he could not put it down except for eating and sleeping. He later said that from then on, "I took pleasure in books."

When Potter was twelve years old, he entered an academy in Poughkeepsie, New York. Within three years, his teacher said that, "by capacity and scholarship," Potter was ready for college. At age fifteen, Potter passed the entrance examination and enrolled in Union College in Schenectady, New York. In 1818, at age eighteen, he graduated with honors, and he "won the prize of college ambition." At his graduation, he gave the Valedictory Oration.

After graduating from Union College, Potter moved to Philadelphia to be with his brother, who was a bookseller. During this time, his interest in books continued. He also became interested in the Episcopal Church.

During his time in Philadelphia with his brother, Potter’s "religious convictions became so decided" that he joined the Episcopal Church. He had not been baptized, so he requested and received it in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia. Later, In Christ Church, Philadelphia, he was confirmed by Bishop White. Shortly after that, Potter decided that he wanted to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. He began theological studies under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Turner, afterward for many years a distinguished Professor in the General Theological Seminary. He continued studying theology after he returned to Union College as a Tutor.

...
Wikipedia