New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-10
OBITUARY..
FREDERIC A. POTTS.

Frederic A Pitts president Of the New York, sus-
quehanna and Western Railroad. died few minutes
after O'Clock last evening Rumors OF his dea'n
we're circulated in Wall Street early In the afternoon
and while they were premature, they prepared his
many friends for the loss they called upon to bear
Most Of them utterly unable to realize that the
stawart man, whose every motion was Indicative Of
perfect health, had yielded in few weeks 10 dis
ease insIduous well unexpected. Mr. Potts had
been sick exactly three weeks from affection Of
the stomach, which prevented him from retaining
nourshmen His strength his real weakness. for
his large frame required ample support lie expired
quietly, without apparent pain No arran gements
for the funeral services had been made last night He
leaves wife and five children. three sons and two
daughters.
Frederic A. Potts was born at Pottsville. PENN
April 4, 1886. His father, the late George II.
Potts, who for many years president Of the Na-
tional Park Bank, Of the first shippers OF
coal by canal to the seaboard. The son received q
common school training in his native town. but when
he was about nineteen years old salesman I'm the
well known coal firm Of Louis Audenned Co.. in the
which his father was partner Ten years afterwan
the admitted Ia the firm and the death Of
Mfr Audenred in 1874 he continued the business under
his own name for five six years before the firm Of
f. A. Potts d Co. was organized.
Although born in Pennsylvania. lie sprang from
NewJersey stock, and before he engaged in business
his father had returned to the old homestead at Pitts
town, which had been held by the family through five
generations. His ancestors were Quahers and his
great grandfather a member Of the Continental
Congress. 1t natural that Mr. Potts should take
interest in political matters and In 1872 and again
IN 1878 he candidate for Congress in Il strong
Democratic district and in both his popularity
reduced the usual ma ority. In 1874 he elected
a State Senator IN his home county Of HunterdOn,
which had before been Democratic by about 1000
votes He was for many years chairman Of the Re
publican State Committee, and in 1850 he was de-
feated for Governor by a small vote.
The railway career Of Mr. Potts began in ST. when
he elected a director Of the Central Railroad Of
New-Jersey, place which he held for five years.
He became largely interested in the New-Jersey Mid
land Railroad and the consolidation in June 1881
Of the Midland and other smaller lines. he chosen
president Of the company, which IS known the
New York, Susquehanns and Western Railroad. He
was also vce-presdent Of the National Park Bank.
director Of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company
Of Newark and of other associations. He
prominent member Of the Union League Club aud be-
longed also to the Union ana the Century clubs,
Mr. Potts was a man of fine presence with full
face beaming with cordial good nature. He stood
fully feet high and although he gained flesh in the
last years OF his life he did not lose his handsome
portions. His hair and the small side whskers he
grew white with years, but the change served
only to bring out clearly the sweet expression Of
his mouth and the gcnialty Of his whole face. He
was invariably digniied in demeanor, but he never
forgot 10 be cordial lie warm friend and he
had few enemies.