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J. HERBERT POTTS
Originally published in 1900 |
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J. HERBERT POTTS, Justice of the Police Court of Jersey City, was
born in Trenton, N. J., July 3, 1851. He was educated at Laurenceville
High School, at which institution he graduated in 1868 and prepared for college. For two years he was a member of the Princeton class of 1872.
Returning to Trenton at the end of that period, he entered the law office
of Hon. Edward T. Green, subsequently a Justice of the United States Circuit Court. Mr. Potts was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney February 5, 1874, and in the same year began the active practice of
his profession in Jersey City, associating himself with a relative, Joseph
C. Potts. He has continued in the active practice of law here, except when
holding official positions.
In 1873 Judge Potts was appointed Assistant Clerk of the House of the Assembly at Trenton, and in 1880 and 1881 he was a member of that body, representing the Sixth Assembly District of Hudson County. In the session of 1880 he was Chairman of the Committee on the Revision of Laws, and in the session of the following year was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was again elected to the Assembly in 1889,1890, and 1891, representing in the new re-apportionment the Second Assembly District of Hudson County, and being the only Republican Assemblyman from the county in 1892. During that year he was the party (minority) leader on the floor of the House and served on many important committees, including the Judiciary, Revision of Laws, and Treasurer's Accounts. In the autumn of 1892 he was nominated by the Republicans for State Senator from Hudson County, and, although defeated, reduced the Democratic majority from 8,000 to 3,000. This fact illustrates the popularity which he has always enjoyed. In 1894 he was appointed Justice of the First District (Criminal) Court of Jersey City, which position he still holds, having been re-appointed in 1897. In the spring of the latter year he was a candidate for Mayor of Jersey City and was defeated by Mayor Hoos by the very small majority of about 3,000 votes. Judge Potts has achieved distinction at the bar as an able and talented lawyer, and on the bench has displayed great dignity, broad and accurate learning, and acknowledged judicial qualifications. He is especially popular in social circles, prominent in the councils of the Republican party, a member of the Carteret Club, of which he was Vice-President two years, a member of the Union League, and a member of the Palma Club, having served the latter four years as a Trustee. For a number of years he has been a leading and influential member of the Republican County Committee of Hudson County. In 1876 Judge Potts married Miss Louise Bechtel, daughter of Charles Bechtel, who was for many years the publisher of the State Gazette at Trenton. They have three children.
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