The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-11-14
OBITUARY.
FREDERIC A. PORTS.

Frederic A. Potts, President of the
New York, Susquehanna and Western
Railroad, died few minutes after z
O'Clock last Friday evening. Rumors
OF his death we're circulated in Wall
street early in the afternoon, and while
they we're premature, they prepared his
many friends for the loss they are called
upon to bear. Most of them we're ut
terly unable to realize that the stalwart
man, whose every motion was indicative
of perfect health, had yielded in a few
weeks to disease, insiduous as we'll as
unexpected. MIR. Potts had been sick ex-
actly three weeks from some affection OF
the stomach, which prevented him from
retaining nourishment. His strength
was bis real weakness, for his large frame
required ample support. He expired
quietly, without apparent pain. He
leaves a wife and five children, three
sons and two daughters.
Frederic A. Potts was born at Potts.
vile, Pa, on April 4, 1886. His father,
the late George 81. Potts. who was for
many years President Of the National
Park Bank, was one of the first shippers
of coal by canal to the seaboard. The
son received common school training
in his native town, but when he was
about nineteen years old was salesman
in the well-known coal firm of Louis
Audenried & Co., in which his father
was partner. Ten years afterward the
son was admitted to the firm, and on
the death of Mr.. Audenried in 1874 he
continued the business under his own
name for five or six years before the
firm of +. A. Potts & Co. was organized.
Although born in Pennsylvania, he
sprang from New Jersey stock, and be-
fore he engaged in business his father
had returned to the old homestead at
Pittstown, Hunterdon county, which
had been held by the family through
Eve generations. His ancestors were
Qdakers and his great.grsndfather was
member of the Continental Congress.
1t was natural that Mr.. Potts should
take an interest in political matters, and
in 1872 aud again in 1873 he was a can
didate for Congress in strong Demo
cratic district, and in both cases his
popularity reduced the usual majority.
In 1874 he was elected 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 Republican State Com
mittee, and in 1880 be was defeated for
Governor by email vote.
The railway career of Mr.. Potts began
In 1877, when he was elected a director
of the Central Railroad of New Jersey,
a place which he held for five years. He
became largely interested in the New
Jersey Midland Railroad and ON the con-
solidation in June. 1881, of the Midland
and other smaller lines, he was chosen
President of the new company, which is
known as the New York, Susquehanua
and Western Railroad. He was also
Vice President OF the National Park
Bank, director Of the Mutual Benefit
Life Insurance Company Of Newark, and
Of other associations. He was promi-
nent member OF the Union League Club
and belonged also to the Union and the
Century clubs.
Mr.. Potts was man of fine presence,
with full face beaming with cordial
good nature. He stood fully six feet
high, aud although he gained flesh In
the last years OF his life, he did not lose
his handsome proportions. His hair and
the small side-whiskers he wore grew
white with years, but the change served
only to bring out more clearly the sweet
expression OF his mouth and the genial.
ty of his whole face. He was invariably
dignified in demeanor, but he never for
got TO be cordial. He was warm friend
and he had few enemies.