August 1, 2026
J. L. Potts was Marceline's pioneer jeweler. The business is now gone, but it was a very popular business in Marceline's past. Potts Jewelry was a part of Kansas Avenue for 31 years. It was established in 1888 by J. L. Potts, Sr. Mr Potts sold the store to his son J. L. Potts, Jr. before it was sold out of the family to Henry Brown in 1922.
September 5, 1889
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
J. L. Potts, the jeweler, while in Kansas City last week, purchased some dandy fixtures for his store in Metropolitan Block.
October 3, 1889
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
The new fixtures in Jeweler Potts' headquarters are usually fine and will set off his stock to great advantage. He shares with the Owl Pharmacy the fine corner room in Metropolitan Block.
October 16, 1890
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
Potts' the jeweler, will hereafter store his valuable goods in a chilled steel, burglar-proof chest weighing in the neighborhood of five tons.
September 11, 1890
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
As soon as the Allen building between Ritchie and Howell is finished, J. L. Potts will occupy a room in it 20x60 feet in size, to be finished up in fine style.
May 14, 1891
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
Now that J. L. Potts has sold out he don't exactly know what to do, but is bound to get to work at something very soon. Potts led the van of pioneers in business when Marceline was created, and we are glad to hear him say that himself and family are liable to remain permanent residents of our city.
October 29, 1891
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
Our old reliable jeweler, J. L. Potts, is again back in his old ranch, next door to Whiteman's hardware, and he is fixing it up to the queen's taste. He has laid in a big stock of goods, has a handsome place to show them, and intends doing the jewelry business of the town. It is a little early in the season to talk about holiday goods, but when his stock comes on you may confidently expect to be surprised.
April 21, 1905
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
Not the oldest man, but the longest a citizens is J. L. Potts, and all the time he has been in the same business, a jeweler. Perhaps, Potts has seen inside of more watches and mended more cracked jewels, broken springs, and adjusted more watches than any man in North Missouri. Potts is an expert jeweler, and his long experience gives him the ability of an expert. He has for many years sold high grade watches, jewels and diamonds, and at holiday time his show cases are resplendent with cut glass and silver. Just now he has one of the prettiest Easter windows we have seen - two rabbits harnessed to a chariot driven by cupids, bearing a large Easter egg. Some of Mr. Potts' customers got the idea when he had his recent sale that he intended to retire from business; but this was a mistake. He is still strictly in the ring, and doing business at the old stand. His stock has been largely replenished and his old customers and new ones will find him, as they found him for the last fifteen or twenty years, dealing in high grade guaranteed goods, and doing the most skillful repairing of all kinds.
February 20, 1914
The Marceline News and the Bucklin Herald:
The Potts Jewelry company has almost completed arrangements to occupy the elegant store room being remodeled by Jos. Hemmings, next to Simpson & Miller. A decision to that effect was reached by Mr. Potts yesterday, and the move will be made as soon as the room is ready for occupancy. The change will give the company much more room, which they have been needing badly, and it is probable that the line will be largely added to. Pianos and musical instruments may be handled in addition to the present stock, and the facilities of the new place will give an opportunity to better display the silver and cut glass departments of the store. The building to be vacated by the jewelry company will probably be occupied by Miss Myrtle Roots, with her line of millinery goods, and will make a splendid place for her. It is also possible that other parties will take the present Potts location for another business, a deal for which is now being considered.
October 15, 1920
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
The Potts Jewelry Store, for 31 years a landmark in Marceline, will be closed out and quit business here. J. L. Potts, Jr. the proprietor, says that this decision is reached with genuine regret. The cause is the general scarcity of help, a condition that is affecting all lines of trade, and especially those employing skilled labor. Then, too, there is the lure of the south land. Col. Jim Potts and his father, the veteran J. L. Sr., have bought a fine jewelry store in Sherman, Texas, and Lute will join them - after he gets back from an automobile trip to California.
October 6, 1922
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
For 34 years the sign, "Potts Jewelry Co." has been conspicuous on the town's main street. Kansas Avenue without the Potts store would be like a Welsh rabbit without the hare. The store was established in 1888 by J. L. Potts, Sr. Mr. Potts was one of the old school jewelers - the kind that specialized in everything about the jewelry store. He could fix anything from the hair spring of a wrist watch to the cable of a steam derrick.
Mr. Potts conducted the store for years, finally tiring of the game and selling to his son, J. L. Potts, Jr. The public was indifferent because Potts, senior, was generally on hand, and Potts junior, could do the work if he wasn't.
And now Potts, junior, is going to take a rest, too. He sold the store, Wednesday, to Henry Brown, himself an old Marceline merchant, who recently disposed of his hardware store.
Mr. Brown needs no introduction to the people of Marceline. He is behind the counter, and will greet you with his best smile. In fact he is anxious to meet you, and show you through his fine establishment.
Old friends of the Potts Jewelry Co. - and there are many - will regret to see the firm go. Old friends of Henry Brown - and there are many of them, too - are glad that he is in business in Marceline once more. Wherever there's a qualm there's always a quiddity, and the public, tolerant and patient, will be served just the same.
The firm name, Potts Jewelry Co., so long and favorably known, remains on the door, for the present. Should there be a change, the public will be duly advised.
March 21, 1924
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
An important business change in Marceline is noted this week in the sale of the Brown Jewelry Store to Albert Zurcher. Mr. Henry Brown, who is retiring from business in Marceline, bought this old and established store of J. L. Potts, Jr. about three years ago. He will remain with Mr. Zurcher to look after the store for a few days. Mr. Zurcher has not announced his plans for conducting the store, but for the present there will be no change. Mr. Otto Zurcher, who has been with the firm during the winter, is now in Havana, Cuba. He writes home that the climate suits him fine, nice and warm, just like it is in Miami, Florida.
July 18, 1924
The Marceline Journal-Mirror:
J. L. Potts, Sr., who has been in poor health for some time, closed his jewelry store last week and left for Sherman, Texas, to visit his son, James M. Potts, the auctioneer, and rest up. "Daddy" Potts came here when the town was first started. He is now in his eighties, and in point of years and service is one of the oldest jewelrymen in the country. His many friends here hope that he will soon regain his health and that he will have a good time in the lone star state.
If you enjoy reading about town history, check out the books below!
