Potter, Zane

Zane Potter was born on August 28, 1860, in Pike County, Illinois, to John Potter and Lucretia Cochran. After growing up on his father’s farm near Baylis and marrying Martha A. Rutherford on October 14, 1883, he rented a farm in Missouri before permanently relocating to Fresno County, California, in 1886. Over the years, he developed a successful agricultural career in the Lone Star district, managing the 160-acre A. Sach vineyard as a foreman and ultimately acquiring a 60-acre ranch equipped with two sets of buildings.

Beyond his ranching endeavors, Potter was an active community figure known for his musical talent as a church choir singer, singing teacher, and vocalist in Walberg’s Male Chorus. He also held memberships in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Raisin Growers’ Association while raising his surviving daughter, who later married Fresno jewelry salesman A. N. Dillingham. After leasing his ranch and residing temporarily at 2815 Madison Avenue in Fresno, he returned to live on his primary property in January 1918.