 1877 - 1925 (48 years)
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| Name |
Harry Hezekiah Potteiger |
| Born |
26 May 1877 |
Berks County, Pennsylvania  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
17 Oct 1925 |
Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania |
| Buried |
21 Oct 1925 |
Covenant Greenwood Cemetery, Ebenezer, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania |
| Person ID |
I148660 |
Strausstown Roots | Potteiger.M, ~Breidegan, ~HasslerFreeman |
| Last Modified |
15 Feb 2023 |
| Family 1 |
Maggie Lentz, b. 12 Feb 1879, Lickdale, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania , d. 03 May 1908, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Age 29 years) |
| Married |
25 Jan 1900 |
Lebanon County, Pennsylvania |
| Children |
| + | 1. Margaret Rebecca Potteiger, b. 29 Jul 1900, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania , d. 27 Aug 1992, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (Age 92 years) |
|
| Last Modified |
5 Mar 2012 |
| Family ID |
F59763 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 2 |
Catherine Rebecca Dietrich, b. 25 Mar 1878, Pennsylvania , d. 01 Oct 1951, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Age 73 years) |
| Children |
| | 1. Harry Hezekiah Potteiger, b. 30 Dec 1911, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania , d. 16 Aug 1988, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Age 76 years) |
| | 2. Donald Calvin Potteiger, b. 17 Dec 1914, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania , d. 17 Nov 1977, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Age 62 years) |
| | 3. Alice Susan Potteiger, b. 12 Jan 1916, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania , d. 03 Aug 2000, Palmyra, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Age 84 years) |
|
| Last Modified |
5 Mar 2012 |
| Family ID |
F39314 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Sources |
- [S167] Lebanon Daily News, 19 Oct 1925.
Police Sergeant Harry H. Potteiger, the oldest member of the Lebanon Police Force, in point of service, and widely known throughout the state, because he was known as the heaviest policeman in service in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed away at 10 o'clock on Saturday evening at his home at 331 North Eleventh street. He was taken ill about two weeks ago, suffering from a cold, which speedily developed symptoms of pneumonia. Later, however, other complications aggravated the condition of the patient, and the attending physicians found it impossible to combat the diseases. He was aged 49 years, 4 months and 28 days. Mr. Potteiger, because of his most unusual weight, and for other reasons, was a picturesque character. He was born May 26, 1877, at Birdsboro, Pa., but came to Lebanon with his parents when he was five years of age. He resided here ever since. His father was a man of ponderous weight, and fell over dead upward of twenty years-ago while he was at work at Light's rolling mill. The son, Harry developed unusual avoirdupois while, very young and continued to take on weight as he grew older. He was engaged in more youthful years as a butcher, but on October 16, 1900, obtained an appointment on the Lebanon Police Force from Mayor Conrad G. Gerhart. He continued there ever since under Mayors Gerhart, Abram Hess, E, A. Weimer, George B, Marquart, John P, Longenecker, George T. Spang, M. L. Case and John Walter. During that period he served under four chiefs of police, John G. Zimmerman, Henry Reifsnyder, Cyrus Nye and Harry Sealer. Despite wide repute because of his unusual weight, which was 456 pounds last April, he was even more widely known throughout the country, because of his strict handling of Weary Willies, who applied at the police station for bunks at night, and who were listed in the batter as "Lodgers." Up to ten years or so ago, tramps were plentiful and they roamed at large. To keep them out of possible temptation, quarters were accorded in the "Bums Cell," and as many as twenty five to thirty were jammed in the place in one night, sleeping like sardines. When Potteiger was made a night sergeant, May 22, 1909, he had a custom of making them keep their shoes on at night, a terrible order for the tramps who liked to rest their feet out of shoes, regardless of offensive odors arising. But worst of all, he made them work. They were obliged to help wash out the cells and corridor in the morning, and woe be it the fellow who manifested evidence of laziness. The big bulk of the officer made resistance impossible, and Weary Willies carried the news far and wide throughout the country. They carried his name to other police stations throughout the realm. It is figured that he recorded the names of upward of 10,000 bums who applied for shelter during his administration. The deceased officer was a member of the local Nests of Orioles and Owls, Mohegan Lodge, No. 288, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both of the local firemen's aid associations. He was also a member of the Seventh Street Lutheran church. He was twice married, a daughter by the first marriage residing at Lykens. She is married to Geo. Dietrich of that place. His second wire, Catherine, is left with three children, Harry, Donald, and Alice, all at home. There are two-step daughters, Mrs. Barge Behney, of Lebanon, and Mrs. Mark S. Kerstetter, residing in the west. Also four grandchildren, Margaret and Grace Kerstetter, of Lebanon, and Violet and George Dietrich, of Lykens
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