Potter, Andrew
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 0, credited to Bennington, VT Unit(s): 34th MA INF Service: enl, Pittsfield, 8/6/62, m/i, as CAPT, Co. B, 34th MA INF, wdd, Piedmont, VA, 6/5/64, wdd, Winchester, 9/19/64, pr MAJ 9/24/64, pr LTCOL 10/14/64, m/o 6/16/65, Bvt COL, USV 5/1/65 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 03/03/1832, Pownal, VT Death: 05/30/1903 Burial: Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone photographer: Heidi McColgan Findagrave Memorial #: 188080701 Cenotaph: Village Cemetery, Bennington, VT Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone researcher/photographer: Heidi McColgan Findagrave Memorial #: 0 (There may be a Findagrave Memorial, but we have not recorded it) MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, widow Sarah McD., 8/23/1918, MA Portrait?: Unknown College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: Not Found (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: None DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice   Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. CENOTAPH:   Cenotaph at Village Cemetery, Bennington, VT Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may have cenotaphs there. |
Obituary
DEATH OF COL. POTTER
Well Known Attorney Passed Away Saturday AfternoonCol. Andrew Potter died Saturday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock at his home on Wall street, aged 73 years. His health had been failing for two years, but his last illness was of short duration. Last February he went to California, where he spent some time at the home of his son in Los Angeles, hoping that the rest and change would prove beneficial, but in this he was disappointed. He returned home May 14 and was very weary from the effects of the long journey and his condition weakened. He kept about for a week, and then there was a sudden change for the worse. His physician found him to be suffering with chronic Bright's disease, attended by great weakness of the heart, and it was recognized at the start that there was small chance for recovery. Through the following days his strength failed rapidly, and the news of his death occasioned no surprise.
Colonel Andrew Potter was the son of Mr. And Mrs. Arnold Potter and was born in Pownal, Vt, April 3, 1832, and his entire life, with the exception of the time he served in the civil war, was passed in this region. He fitted for college at Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls and entered Williams in1852, graduating with the class of ‘54 of which James A. Garfield, later president of the United States, was a member. After completing his college course he took a course of study at the Albany law school, afterward studying for some time in a law office in Pittsfield. He was admitted to the bar in 1859 and began the practice of law in Pittsfield in company with E. M. Wood, who is still located in that city. In the spring of 1862 Col. Potter was commissioned by Gov. John A. Andrew to raise a company. He did this in a short tie and went to the front as its captain. It was Co. B, of the 34th Massachusetts infantry. He held various responsible positions in the service, being for a time in command of a brigade before Petersburg, and for some tie he was attached to Sheridan's command in the Shenandoah valley. He took part in may important engagements, among them being the battles of Newmarket, Piedmont, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. At Winchester and Piedmont he was wounded. He was present at the surrender of Lee at Appommatox, and after the close of hostilities he served as provost marshall at Richmond till July, 1865, when he was discharged. He closed his army work as lieutenant colonel and was breveted colonel at the time of his discharge.
He returned to the North at once and on August 1, 1865, he married Miss Sarah McDaniels of Bennington, Vt. He resumed the practice of law, making his home for some years in Bennington and practicing there, and also practicing in this city in company with his brother, the late A. G. Potter. He moved in 1887 to this city, where he has since lived and continued the practice of his profession, having associated with him for some years past his son J. Tracy Potter. He usually kept one or two thoroughbred Jersey cows which he exhibited with pride at the fair, and in all matters pertaining to agriculture he took more interest than most men not engaged in that pursuit. He was a member of St. John's church, of C. D. Sanford post, G.A.R., and of the 14th Massachusetts Regimental association, which he had served as president.
Few men can talk more interestingly of army experiences than could Colonel Potter. His experience in the service was extended and highly creditable. Men who served with him speak in high terms of his bravery, pronouncing him as brave a soldier as ever wore the blue. He was also considerate of his men and was recognized by them as their friend as well as their leader. His modesty forbade any self-glorification in his talk about his life in the army, but the records and the testimony of those who followed him where only the brave could lead or follow show the spirit and courage of the true soldier. In politics he was a staunch republican and had loyally supported that party from the time of its formation.
He leaves a widow, three sons and a daughter, Thomas McD. Potter of Los Angeles, Cal., J. Tracy. Phillip and Miss Agnes Potter f this city. He is also survived by one brother, Edmond Potter of Mexico, N.Y.
The funeral was held at the house this afternoon at 3 o'clock and was private. The services were conducted by Rev. J. C. Tebbetts and the burial was in Southview cemetery.
Source: North Adams Transcript, June 1, 1903
Courtesy of Tom Boudreau.