From the beginning of their residence in Oley township, Berks county, the Potts were engaged in the mining and manufacture of crude iron. John Potts. Sr., learned the iron business with his father, and in I790 purchased an old forge near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, since known as the “Pioneer Furnace,” which he modernized and converted into a plant better suited to his purposes. This enterprise was from time to time added to and enlarged until it grew into one of the most important industrial institutions of Schuylkill county. It also became the nucleus around which sprang up a village, which in honor of the proprietor of the furnace was named Pottsville. Such was the beginning of the present capital of Schuylkill county, whose existence is due to the energy and courage of John Pott, Sr., who, when the county of Schuylkill was still an unbroken wilderness, pushed out into its frontiers and established an industry which carried with it all the concomitants of civilized life. Mr. Pott continued in the conduct of his furnace until the time of his death, in the year I827, and lived to witness the partial growth of the city which he had founded. He was not wedded exclusively to his private affairs, but spent equally as much time in bringing about proper municipal regulations and conditions in the community. He was public-spirited, possessed unusual energy, and was endowed with broad intelligence, together with the somewhat rare gift of organization. To these essential qualities of a progressive man in pioneer times, were also added the subtler and more humane qualities which are requisite to the rounding out of the complete man. He was kind and generous in the extreme, one whose life apparently was not for self, but for the common interest and the common good of those he had attracted to himself.
John Pott, Sr., was united in marriage with Maria Lesher, and to them was born a family of nine children: John, Jr., Magdalina, Benjamin (born June 10, 1793), James, Abraham, Mary, Catherine, William and Jacob. He and his family were members of the Lutheran Church and gave it the support of not only material means, but also of a consistent and constant devotion. After the death of John Pott, Sr., his sons John (Jr.) and Benjamin succeeded to the management of the iron business, but conducted it for a short time only, when it was disposed of to other parties.
