Burton Willis Potter

Born in Colesville, New York, on February 8, 1843, Burton Willis Potter spent much of his youth in Hartwick, where he worked on the family farm and pursued his education with determination. As a young man he enlisted in Company A of the 14th Vermont Regiment, served in Virginia, and took part in the Gettysburg campaign.

After the war, Potter continued his studies at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts, and then spent two years at Williams College. He later built his career in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he practiced law and took on civic roles, including service in local government.

Potter is best remembered by readers today for The Road and the Roadside, a thoughtful work on road law, history, and maintenance. Drawn in part from material he prepared for the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, the book reflects his mix of legal knowledge, public spirit, and practical interest in everyday infrastructure.