Background
He was born on January 29, 1836 in Carroll County, Ohio, United States, the son of James and Jane (Maple) Potts. He grew up on a farm.
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He was born on January 29, 1836 in Carroll County, Ohio, United States, the son of James and Jane (Maple) Potts. He grew up on a farm.
He attended a neighboring public school in Carroll County. In 1854 entered Westminster College at New Wilmington, but his finances were so limited that he could stay there only a year.
He worked in a store for a year, then he taught school in Ohio and studied law. From 1857 to 1859 he read law with E. R. Eckley in Carrollton, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar.
He began practice in Carroll County, soon became active in politics, and in 1860 was a delegate to the Democratic conventions at Charlestown and at Baltimore, where he vigorously supported Douglas. In August 1861 he became captain of Company F of the 32nd Ohio Volunteers in the Union Army. He became lieutenant-colonel in 1862 and was promoted to the rank of colonel later in the same year. He served with his regiment under Grant at Memphis and at the siege of Vicksburg. In 1864 he was given command of a brigade in Sherman's army. When the war was ended Sherman recommended him for a colonelcy in the regular army, but the appointment was not made.
Potts resumed the practice of law in Ohio and reentered politics as a Republican. He was elected to the state Senate, and in 1870 Grant appointed him governor of Montana to succeed James M. Ashley. He went to Montana still young, and his appearance impressed the people of the territory. His reports (Report of the Governor of Montana to the Secretary of the Interior 1878-1889) were sympathetic with the problems of the territory. He generally managed to work in harmony with the Democratic majority in the legislature.
When the flight of Joseph across Montana aroused alarm throughout the territory, he took prompt measures to protect the people. His administration was ushered in by hard times, and the panic of 1873 hurt Montana severely. The people were demanding free silver and cheap transportation. He interpreted their demands without offense to Grant and Hayes, both of whom disliked western radicalism. At the next election he was elected to the territorial legislature.
Soon after this he and Russell B. Harrison established a large stock farm near Helena, in which for the remaining years of his life he was chiefly interested.
Benjamin Franklin Potts distinguished himself in battles around Atlanta and Savannah, but, not until January 1865 was he officially promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. He also was appoined to be Governor of the Montana Territory, in this capacity he favored economy, and during the twelve years of his administration the territorial debt was almost paid off. Largely through his recommendations the legislature modernized the civil and criminal laws and procedure. Throughout his administration he advocated more appropriations for public education. He gave much attention to Indian affairs and urged upon the government more stringent control of the Indian tribes.
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
After the the Civil War he changed political parties and joined the Republicans.
He was more than six feet tall, with a huge body and great energy. Although he did not have the national reputation that distinguished his predecessors in Montana, his tact and good judgment won him respect. He was tolerant of opposing views.
On May 28, 1861, he was married to Angeline Jackson of Carrollton.
