Joseph Potts

     Joesph Potts, a confectioner (someone who made or sold sweets), was born the eleventh of thriteen children on October 27, 1889 in Salt Lake City.  His parents, Samuel Willard Potts and Martha Jane Cleaver, immigrated with the Saints from Macclesfield, Chester, England with two children, Sarah and John. They sailed on the steamship Wyoming leaving Liverpool on May 21, 1881, arriving in New York City on June 1st.
     Not much is known about Josephs childhood, but he was crippled and was thought to have had Polio as a child or man.  Joe's lags were twisted up and he could not stand on his own.  He was a nice looking man. He fixed up a chair with wheels on which to get around. He worked for a while in his father's shop, "S.W. Potts and Son Pioneer Dresser."

     Joseph married Melva May Harvey on April 25, 1916. He was 27 years old and she was 19. On June 29, 1917 they welcomed their first child, a son whom they named Joseph Edward (your great-grandpa). A year later in July a daughter, Melva Ellen joined the family. Six years later a daughter with dark black hair, Barbara LaVon, was born in November.
     The family lived on 9th North, just east of the Bamberger tracks for a while, then moved to 51 North Robert Avenue. Finally they bought a home at 851 East Stratford Ave, Salt Lake City. Joseph had a refreshment stand across the city on 8th North and Beck Street. Melva would take Joseph to work, go home and work all day, put the kids to bed and go back around 11 p.m. to close the stand. It eventually got to be too much for Melva so she rented a house at 354 West 8th street, 1/2 a block from Joseph's stand.
     Later Melva had her own eating place just down the street from Josephs stand. Here she made the best chili ever tasted, and people came from all around the city to have a bowl.  When Joesph became too weak to run his stand Melva sold her business to take care of him. She finally closed Josephs stand.
     Ellen remembers being the helper for her father and little sister Barbara while her mother worked.  She remembers running home from school at lunch to fix food for them. She became very close to her father from these times helping with his care.

     Joseph loved to go to baseball games, Every Wednesday night during the season, Melva lifted Joseph into the Model T Ford and took him to the baseball park.  She would sleep on the seat of the car until the game was over, then lifted Joseph back into the car, stopped at Liberty Park for the kids and then drove home.  When Joe was older he was able to help by lifting his father in and out of the car for his mother.
     About this time a wicker wheelchair was purchased for Joseph and now the family could get around easier.  They had picnics at the park, up the canyons and out to Lagoon and Saltair. They also enjoyed visiting with extended family.

     Joe helped his father as much as he could.  He used to like to push his dad in his wheelchair down the hill to his business in Salt Lake City. His dad told him it was O.K. to run as long as he didn't let go of the chair.
     On November 2, 1929 Joseph was baptized by Klass C. VanDrumen, and the next day he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder H.H. Pederson and Ordained and Elder. On January 8, 1931, Joesph and Melva took their three children to the Salt Lake temple where they were sealed as a family for time and eternity.

     On March 29, 1931 Joseph and Melva received their Patriarchal Blessings from Patriarch Joseph A Bennet. Joseph was told not to worry his mind even in his condition at the present time for the day would come when he would be able to walk and talk with the redeemed in the Celestial Kingdom where God and Christ dwell.    In late July Joseph became ill and on a Tuesday evening, August 11, 1931, at the age of 42, Joseph Potts passed away at Salt Lake General Hospital. Services were held Sunday Aug. 15th in the 24th ward chapel with Bishop Mark Olsen officiating. Joseph was buried Aug 16th, 1931 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.