Background
William was born December 27, 1844 in New York City and spent his early years there. His father was Arthur M. Potter, a jewelry manufacturer.
William was born December 27, 1844 in New York City and spent his early years there. His father was Arthur M. Potter, a jewelry manufacturer.
The Potters moved to Providence and William graduated from Providence High School in 1862.
Potter was a lifelong Democrat. Between 1887 and 1891 he was elected four times to the State House of Representatives and worked his way up to the chairmanship of the House Finance Committee. On November 24, 1891 he defeated incumbent Charles Sydney Smith in a tightly contested four-way race for Mayor of Providence.
Number candidate received a majority, so a runoff election was held.
He was the first Democrat elected to the mayor"s office since the Civil War. Running for re-election in 1892, Potter handily defeated Republican candidate Colonel
Arthur H. Watson. After his second term was over, Potter declined to run for a third term, and returned to the lumber business.
After retirement, he lived in Cranston for a time. During Potter"s two terms as mayor, the landscaped boulevards of Elmwood Avenue and Blackstone Boulevard were constructed.
He also embarked on a major project paving city streets in 1892.