DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Biography: Paul M. Potts - p320

--------------------------------- 
Submitted by Gaytha Carver Thompson
Typed by Trudy Marlow
************************************************

Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives



**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 

                               Paul M. Potts, the subject of this sketch, is a
                               planter and merchant of Pottsville, La., and is an
                               excellent example of the success attending hard
                               work and honest dealing, and -the trade which he
                               now commands is solidly established and reaches
                               over a large part of the surrounding country.  He
                               was born in Baldwin County, Ala., in 1860, his
                               father, S. M. Potts, being a native of Georgia, and
                               his mother, whose maiden name was Susan Stur-
                               divant, being also born in that State, their mar-
                               riage taking place in Alabama.  In 1867 they re-
                               moved to Texas, but in 1872 settled in Shreveport,
                               La., and the same year came to Mansfield.  Mr.
                               Potts died near Keatchie, in 1885, but his widow
                               survives him, being a member of the Episcopal
                               Church.  Mr. Potts was a farmer, was a public-
                               spirited citizen, was interested in the political
                               affairs of the nation, and at one time represented
                               De Soto Parish in the State Legislature.  He
                               edited the Mansfield Reporter for some time, and
                               throughout the Rebellion served as captain in the
                               Confederate army.  His father, Henry Potts, was
                               of Scotch-Irish descent, and died in Georgia.  The
                               mother's father, Robert Sturdivant, was a Geor-
                               gian, who died in Alabama.  Paul M. Potts is the
                               fourth of five surviving children born to his parents,
                               and his education was received in Shreveport,
                               Mansfield and Baton Rouge.  After following civil
                               engineering in the interests of differents railroads
                               (New Orleans, Texas & Pacific, New Orleans &
                               Mississippi Valley, and the Southern Florida) for
                               some time, he was married in 1884, and the first
                               year after his marriage resided in Florida.  His
                               wife, Miss Sarah E. Hollingsworth, was a daughter
                               of Maj. Robert B. and S. E. Hollingsworth, and
                               was born in De Soto Parish, La., and has borne
                               her husband two children: Lillian E. and Robert
                               H. Since 1885 they have resided in De Soto Par-
                               ish, and be has conducted a plantation and also
                               managed the Phoenix Drug Store in Shreveport.
                               He is now spending his first year on Red Bayou,
                               where he is engaged in merchandising and farm-
                               ing, the post-office of Pottsville being recently
                               established at his store, of which he is postmaster.
                               His wife's parents were born in Alabama, but were
                               among the first settlers in Northwest Louisiana,
                               both being members of prominent families.  The
                               mother died in De Soto Parish, but Maj. Hollings~
                               worth is still living, and is a resident of Natchi-
                               toches.