Thomas R. Potts
Encyclopedia
Thomas Reed Potts was an American physician, civic leader and the first Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from medical school
, Potts moved across the country and eventually found his way to the young settlement of St. Paul. Active in civic life and popular in his medical practice, he was elected as the first President of the Town Board. Despite a successful tenure, he tired of politics and retired after one term to continue his practice; however he did hold several key health-related positions. By the time of his death, he was the oldest doctor in the city and one of its most respected.
, to Rev. George Charles Potts, D.D., of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. In 1831 he graduated with a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
.
After medical school, Potts settled in Natchez, Mississippi
for ten years. He moved to Galena, Illinois
in 1841, and then to Saint Paul, Minnesota
in 1849. In 1847 he married Anna Abbian Steele (born 1821 in Steelville, Pennsylvania
, died 1901 in St. Paul), sister of prosperous Minneapolis businessman Franklin Steele
, in Fort Snelling. They had four children: daughters Mary Steele and C. W. and sons Charles and Henry.
Potts was a pioneer physician in St. Paul and one of the organizers of the Minnesota Historical Society
, which formed in 1849. He practiced medicine in St. Paul for 26 years. During his years of practice he served as contract physician to Fort Snelling, physician to the Sioux
, Medical Purveyor of the district, and Pension Surgeon.
, serving as its first president. In 1866 he was elected as City Physician, and as health officer of St. Paul in 1873. It was while serving as health officer that he died suddenly on October 6, 1874. By the time of his death he was the senior practicing physician of the city.
Potts lived for many years in a small, white house on Roberts Street in St. Paul, and despite having a large practice and many offices did not care much about money. He left little in ways of property to his widow, who later lived for a time with the family of Henry Hastings Sibley
, who was her brother-in-law. His daughter Mary Steele married Crawford Livingston, a successful banker and businessman, on January 28, 1875. His widow went to live with them at their home on 432 Summit Avenue, and later died there on February 1, 1901; she was 80 years of age. His son Henry S. Potts worked as a county surveyor in Ramsey County
, led a party up to the Klondike Gold Rush
, and returned to continue public service.
During his years in St. Paul, Potts was described as an "institution" and "a man everybody liked and of whom an unkind word was never said." His personality was described as fun, humorous and social, and his practice was termed "kind-hearted". He was considered a strong candidate for any elected position in Ramsey County; however he despised politics and after his brief term as mayor decided to stick to the practice of medicine.
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
, Potts moved across the country and eventually found his way to the young settlement of St. Paul. Active in civic life and popular in his medical practice, he was elected as the first President of the Town Board. Despite a successful tenure, he tired of politics and retired after one term to continue his practice; however he did hold several key health-related positions. By the time of his death, he was the oldest doctor in the city and one of its most respected.
Early years
Potts was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, to Rev. George Charles Potts, D.D., of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. In 1831 he graduated with a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
The Perelman School of Medicine , formerly the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, was founded in 1765, making it the oldest American medical school. As part of the University of Pennsylvania, it is located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is widely...
.
After medical school, Potts settled in Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
for ten years. He moved to Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
in 1841, and then to Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
in 1849. In 1847 he married Anna Abbian Steele (born 1821 in Steelville, Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, died 1901 in St. Paul), sister of prosperous Minneapolis businessman Franklin Steele
Franklin Steele
Franklin Steele was an early and significant settler of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States. Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania of Scottish descent, Steele worked in the Lancaster post-office as a young man, where he once met James Buchanan.-Early success:With encouragement from his...
, in Fort Snelling. They had four children: daughters Mary Steele and C. W. and sons Charles and Henry.
Potts was a pioneer physician in St. Paul and one of the organizers of the Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was founded by the territorial legislature in 1849, almost a decade before statehood. The Society is named in the Minnesota...
, which formed in 1849. He practiced medicine in St. Paul for 26 years. During his years of practice he served as contract physician to Fort Snelling, physician to the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
, Medical Purveyor of the district, and Pension Surgeon.
President of the Town Board of St. Paul
On May 6, 1850, according to the provisions of the newly formed town's charter, the first election of "house-holders of the town" was held. Potts was elected as the first President of the Town Board, an office equivalent to mayor, in an election was not seriously contested. He served alongside future St. Paul mayor Edmund Rice, who served as City Recorder. The role of President of the Town Board, in addition to the duties currently held by the Mayor of St. Paul, also included the role of conservator of the peace; this included acting as the early municipal court and exercising jurisdiction over all criminal matters within the town. As the police force of the city consisted of one man, Potts would have to summon him to keep order over any cases he would hear. Since St. Paul did not yet have a jail, those sentenced would be sent to Fort Snelling. Potts served until 1851 and, tired of politics, declined reelection.Later years and legacy
In 1853 he was one of the founding members of the Minnesota Medical AssociationMinnesota Medical Association
Minnesota Medical Association is a professional association representing physicians, residents, and medical students, working together for a healthy Minnesota. With more than 11,000 members, the MMA is a powerful advocate on health care issues at the State Capitol and in Washington D.C...
, serving as its first president. In 1866 he was elected as City Physician, and as health officer of St. Paul in 1873. It was while serving as health officer that he died suddenly on October 6, 1874. By the time of his death he was the senior practicing physician of the city.
Potts lived for many years in a small, white house on Roberts Street in St. Paul, and despite having a large practice and many offices did not care much about money. He left little in ways of property to his widow, who later lived for a time with the family of Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley was the first Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Early life and education:...
, who was her brother-in-law. His daughter Mary Steele married Crawford Livingston, a successful banker and businessman, on January 28, 1875. His widow went to live with them at their home on 432 Summit Avenue, and later died there on February 1, 1901; she was 80 years of age. His son Henry S. Potts worked as a county surveyor in Ramsey County
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849. As of 2010, the population was 508,640. Its county seat is St. Paul, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey , the first governor of the Minnesota Territory...
, led a party up to the Klondike Gold Rush
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush, also called the Yukon Gold Rush, the Alaska Gold Rush and the Last Great Gold Rush, was an attempt by an estimated 100,000 people to travel to the Klondike region the Yukon in north-western Canada between 1897 and 1899 in the hope of successfully prospecting for gold...
, and returned to continue public service.
During his years in St. Paul, Potts was described as an "institution" and "a man everybody liked and of whom an unkind word was never said." His personality was described as fun, humorous and social, and his practice was termed "kind-hearted". He was considered a strong candidate for any elected position in Ramsey County; however he despised politics and after his brief term as mayor decided to stick to the practice of medicine.