Bio of POTTS, William J. (b.1878), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 552-555
WILLIAM J. POTTS
William J. Potts, well known in motor trade circles throughout Minneapolis, has
since August, 1916, been proprietor of a successful Ford agency as head of the
Potts Motor Company. His birth occurred at Somerset, Wisconsin, on the 12th of
January, 1878, his parents being Samuel and Ann Jane (Hamilton) Potts, both of
whom are residents of Minneapolis. Their family numbered eight children, all of
whom still survive.
In the acquirement of an education William J. Potts attended the grade and high
schools of Minneapolis and when sixteen years of age put aside his textbooks to
begin providing for his own support. He obtained a position with the Enterprise
Laundry Company, conducted by H. H. Bell, at a wage of seven dollars per week.
That his ability soon won recognition is indicated in the fact that six weeks
later his salary was raised to twenty-six dollars, with an additional six
dollars for the use of his horse, which brought him a weekly remuneration of
thirty-two dollars. He remained in the service of the Enterprise Laundry Company
as solicitor for a period of six years and then embarked in the laundry business
on his own account at No. 3119 Nicollet avenue, but three years later his
establishment was destroyed by fire and he lost everything. Obliged to start
anew, he entered the service of the W. I. Gray Company, electrical engineers,
whom he represented as manager of the light department for several years.
Subsequently he devoted his attention to farming for four years and at the same
time held a position with the Northwestern Acetylene Company. It was on the
expiration of that period that he became identified with the Ford Motor Company,
being first employed as a mechanic in the assembling of cars and later becoming
a salesman for the corporation. He afterward secured an agency and in August,
1916, embarked in business under the name of the Potts Motor Company, of which
he has since remained at the head. The success which has attended his efforts in
this connection is well illustrated by the fact that he opened the agency with
but one assistant and now has seventy-five names on the pay roll. He manifests a
most progressive and enterprising spirit in the conduct of his business affairs
and has thoroughly familiarized himself with every phase of the automobile
trade. Mr. Potts is likewise the president of the Dell Rapids Motor Company at
Dell Rapids, South Dakota, has been chosen treasurer of the Minnesota Garage
Dealers Association and is a director of the Minneapolis Garage Dealers
Association, the Minneapolis Allied Automobile Associations and the State
Automobile Association. He is likewise a director of the Fourth Avenue State
Bank and is one of the owners of the Minneapolis Ball Club.
Mr. Potts was married in 1911 and has two children, Henry Ford and Minerva Jane.
He gives his political support to the republican party and fraternally is
identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Portland Avenue Church of Christ.
His name is also on the membership rolls of the Minneapolis Athletic Club, the
Automobile Club and the Superior Golf Club, associations which indicate the
nature of his recreation. His aid has been sought and generously given in the
promotion of charitable enterprises and in the work of civic improvement. In
connection with the Associ­ated Charities he helped to bring Christmas cheer to
the poor by furnishing seven or eight cars for delivery purposes, exemplifying
the "Big Brother" spirit in its true meaning. He has spent practically his
entire life in Minneapolis and has here gained a circle of friends almost
coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.----