Bennington

POTTER, Henry J.

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 383-386

Henry J. POTTER, who was one of the most honored residents of Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont], and who practiced medicine here for more than 
half a century, the oldest physician of the city and perhaps the state, was 
born 13 July 1828 in Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont, son of Joseph and 
Sally (GARDNER) POTTER. The family was founded in New England at an early 
date, and the grandfather of Dr. POTTER, Zara POTTER, was a native of Rhode 
Island. He [Zara POTTER] was married to Anna WALKER. Like her husband, she 
was of English and Scotch descent, and her people were also among the first 
settlers in New England. Emigrating to Vermont, Zara POTTER took up his 
abode in Pownal, where he spent his remaining days, passing away 03 August 
1834, at the age of seventy-five years. His [Zara POTTER's] wife [Anna 
(WALKER) POTTER, assuming she was not previously married] was born 01 
November 1768, and died in November 1808. In the family [of Zara and Anna 
POTTER] were nine children, among whom was Joseph POTTER; he was born in 
Pownal, Vermont, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. Throughout 
his entire life he engaged in farming, and was a progressive and enterprising 
agriculturalist. He [Joseph POTTER] married Sally GARDNER, who was born in 
Pownal, Vermont, a daughter of Daniel GARDNER, who was also a farmer and a 
prominent and influential man resident of his town. He [Daniel] reared a 
large family, and held membership in the Baptist church. Joseph POTTER had 
seven children, of whom two are yet living, the sisters of our subject [Henry 
J. POTTER]: Mrs. Zadoc PRATT, of Bennington, and Mrs. Henry BURT, of Pownal.

Dr. [Henry J.] POTTER spent his boyhood and youth in the city of his birth 
[Pownal], removing to Bennington in 1846. His early education, acquired in 
the common schools, was supplemented by study in Bennington Academy. He 
began preparing for the medical profession in 1848 and was graduated in 
medicine in 1851. He then opened an office for the practice of medicine and 
surgery in Bennington, where he remained until his death. He was identified 
with the State Eclectic Medical Society; was president for two years; for ten 
years was chairman of the board of censors; also belonged to the National 
Eclectic Medical Association, the Union Medical Association of Massachusetts, 
the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and the New England 
Eclectic Medical Association; in the last named was chairman of the board of 
censors and second vice president.

On 16 June 1850 Doctor [Henry J.] POTTER was married to Miss Susan GIBSON, 
who was born in Mendon [Rutland County], Vermont, a daughter of Roswell and 
Hannah (EDSON) GIBSON. Roswell GIBSON was born in Grafton [Windham County, 
Vermont]. Hannah was born in Maine. Roswell GIBSON, however, removed to 
central New York, and Hannah's people were early settlers of Mendon, Vermont. 
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. GIBSON [Roswell and Hannah (EDSON) GIBSON] 
were ten children, of whom six are yet living: (1) [Susan], Mrs. POTTER; 
(2) Alonzo, a resident of Syracuse [Onondaga County], New York; (3) Blake, 
who is living in Grand Rapids [Kent County], Michigan; (4) Cyrus, of Bennington, 
Vermont; (5) Mrs. Ora PORTER, of Syracuse, New York; and (6) Irving E., who 
also resides in Bennington. The parents [Roswell and Hannah GIBSON] were 
both consistent and faithful members of the Baptist church, and Mrs. [Hannah] 
GIBSON lived to be over ninety years of age.

Dr. POTTER and his wife [Dr. Henry J. and Susan (GIBSON) POTTER] have but one 
living child, Henry J., who was educated in he public schools of Bennington 
and in Poultney Seminary of Poultney, Vermont, where he was graduated. 
Following in the footsteps of his father, he took up the study of medicine 
under the direction of Dr. SWINBURN, the owner of a private sanitarium in 
Albany [Albany County], New York. He also attended lectures in the Albany 
Medical Schools, and was graduated in 1887, since which time he has been in 
practice in Bennington, where he has gained an enviable reputation. He is 
also a member of the leading medical and fraternal organizations. He [Dr. 
Henry J. POTTER, Jr.] was married in 1887 to [Miss?] Norma WOODRUFF, of 
Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], whose father was a prominent and 
influential resident of that place.

Dr. Henry J. POTTER and his estimable wife [Susan (GIBSON) POTTER] celebrated 
their golden wedding anniversary on 15 June 1900, on which occasion more than 
four hundred guests were present, all being over fifty years of age. In 
speaking of this occasion, the "Bennington Banner," published 22 June 1900, 
said: "The guests were received at the door and in due time were presented 
to the good doctor and his estimable wife, who stood in the same room, and in 
the same corner and on the same floor where the wedding ceremony was 
pronounced 16 June 1850. In near proximity was the clergyman, the Rev. 
Edward CONOVER, who had officiated on that distant occasion. [The remainder 
of the text has been edited.] The Rev. Doctor WASHBURNE, pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, spoke. "In this very house, in this room and in 
this very corner of the room, you were married fifty years ago. This house 
was not then your property, only the bride in it. I am requested by a few of 
your friends to present you with this purse as a token of our friendship and 
esteem." The purse contained fifty-five dollars in gold and was made up by 
the official board of the church of which Mr. [Henry J.] POTTER has been for 
years a member, augmented by a few other near friends.

The Rev. Edward CONOVER, in 1850, was pastor of the Baptist church of this 
village. In the half century just ended, he has held various pastorates, but 
a few years ago retired from regular ministerial duties, and has returned to 
pass his remaining days in town. Mr. CONOVER read an original poem [text of 
poem omitted]. There were presented, also, an original poem, engrossed in 
gold, in antique booklet form, by James W. WHITE, and another poem by Miss 
Minnie L. BLACKMER. The former poem was read by the Rev. Doctor WASHBURNE, 
following that of Mr. CONOVER's. The homestead was profusely decorated with 
flowers and potted plants.

Doctor [Henry J.] POTTER was long recognized as one of the most influential 
and prominent men of Bennington. In 1872 he was chosen to represent his 
district in the State Legislature, where he served for a term of two years; 
from 1870 to 1876 was connected with the school board of Bennington, and for 
two years its president; for a number of years was justice of the peace, and 
filled other positions. His political support was given to the Republican 
party. Long a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, for more 
than thirty years he served as one of its stewards. Dr. Henry J. POTTER died 
08 March 1902.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly