My Genealogy Hound

William M. Potts, of the Fair Play Mercantile Company, was born in Polk County, Mo., in 1863, and is the son of William A. and Polly (Underwood) Potts. William A. Potts came to Missouri when five years of age, and has been a resident of this State ever since. He is a farmer by occupation. His wife was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents to Missouri when four years of age. By her union to Mr. Potts she became the mother of seven children, five living. William M. Potts obtained a good practical education in the common schools, and supplemented the same by a term in Southwest Baptist College. In 1883 he engaged in merchandising, but sustained considerable loss by fire. After this he clerked for a number of months, and then became a member of the firm of Fox, Potts & Company, which title was afterward changed to Fair Play Mercantile Company. This company is doing a good business on account of their fair dealing and prompt attention to their patrons, and from the fact that they are pleasant, social gentlemen to deal with. Mr. Potts is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F., and is master of finances in the Knights of. Pythias. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. His paternal grandfather was born in Tennessee, but went to Illinois, and from there to Missouri, where he passed his declining years.