Potter C. Burton, who died at his home on Chestnut street, Oneonta, September 16, 1883, 
was born in Hopkinton, Washington Co., RI., September 11 1812.  The parents of Mr. 
Burton were Rhode Island people, who lived and died on a farm in their native State, 
Mr. Burton having followed farming all his life.  While they were of old Rhode Island 
families they were of English ancestry, some of the members of their families having 
served in the Revolutionary war.

Potter C. Burton was brought up in his native county, and when a young man served three 
years as an apprentice to the jeweler's trade.  In 1834 he removed from Rhode Island 
to Oneonta, NY.; he walked all the way, carrying with him a small tin box containing 
all his earthly possessions, consisting of a set of tools used in repairing watches, 
of which trade he was then a master.  He located in the upper story of a hotel known 
as the Angell House, on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets.  Being an adept at 
his trade he soon manifested his ability as a skilled workman, which gave him a 
reputation that in its turn brought him plenty of work.  He was not only a good 
workman but an intelligent and honest young man, such as new and growing towns always 
desire, and are glad to encourage.  The little room in the upper story of the hotel 
soon became too small for his increasing trade, and he then moved into a small 
building on Main Street.  He soon found himself on the upward road to prosperity, and 
was ever afterward, until his retirement from business, known as the leading jeweler 
in the city on Oneonta.  Being of a business turn of mind he acquired some valuable 
property, and built a palatial residence at No. 25 Chestnut Street.  This fine home 
has, since his death, been the home of his widow.  In 1874, after having been 
constantly in business for forty-five years, he sold his stock of goods and all his 
business interests to Clinton E. Ford, and retired from all active participation in 
business.  Throughout nearly all of his active career he was usually a very healthy 
man, but was at length troubled with heart failure, which resulted in his death.  He 
was recognized by all as a good, upright, honest and kind-hearted citizen.  He was a 
Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Burton was married February 8, 1835, in Oneonta, to Miss Sophia Smith, who was born 
in Sidney, Delaware Col, NY., January 9, 1816.  She was reared in that place, and 
educated there and at Franklin, in the same county.  She removed to Oneonta when yet 
a young woman.  She is the daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Greenslit) Smith, both of 
whom were born and reared near Bennington, Vt.  They were both of good New England 
stock, and after the birth of three of their children, set out for the West, making 
the journey overland with teams.  They settled down in the wilderness of Delaware 
County.  This was in the early part of the present century, when the county was very 
new and when neighbors were few and far between.  Indians and wild beasts filled the 
woods, and the wolves were so bold as to follow the children to and from school.  
Advantages of civilization were not worth noting.  There were none.  It was necessary 
to travel many miles to market or to mill.  Upon one occasion one of the sons of the 
family, then only fourteen years old, was sent to mill at Unadilla, and before he 
could return he was overtaken by night.  While attempting to cross a hemlock swamp on 
his horse he lost his way, and had to remain in the woods all night.  It was not long 
before he was scented by the wolves, which surrounded him.  He climbed a tree for 
safety, the wolves keeping him there until dawn.  They then departed, and he was 
enabled to get home, though badly frightened.  He was made exceedingly welcome, as 
his family was very anxious about him until his safe return.  This was only one of 
the many similar experiences of different members of this family in the wilds of 
early Delaware County.  Mr. Smith and wife, however, lived to make a good home on a 
well-cultivated farm on Carr's Creek, at what is today known as Sidney Centre.  Here 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith spent their last years, dying on their own farm, the country 
around them having become much improved.  Mrs. Smith died when she was sixty-nine 
years of age, and Mr. Smith when nearly ninety.  They were of the early founders and 
charter members of the Old School or Regular Baptist Church at Sidney Centre.  Mr. 
Smith was always known as "Captain" Smith, on account of his long connection with the 
local militia.  He was a leader of the town people, and was long prominent in local 
affairs.

Mrs. Burton was the only daughter of her parents, and the youngest but one of the family. 
She has three brothers yet living of the eight sons who were born to her parents.  
All of the eight lived to manhood and reared families of their own.  The three 
surviving are as follows:  harry and Lewis, of Tioga County, Pa., both businessmen, 
and Lyman B., retired and living in Binghamton, NY.  Mrs. Burton is the mother of six 
children, three of whom have died, viz:  George F. died when five and a half years 
old; Warren died in middle life in Corry, Pa., leaving his wife and two children; he 
was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in November, 1861, and serving 
through the war as a true and brave soldier, always on duty and not having a 
furlough.  He was a jeweler by trade; his sons are both jewelers, and live in 
Oneonta.  Mary E. was the wife of Dr. Church of Oneonta; she died, leaving no issue.  
The three children living are:  Lucy, wife of George H. Goodman, of Otego, NY., a 
carriage manufacturer; Imogene, wife of Sylvester Ford, whose biographical sketch 
appears elsewhere in this volume; and Julia S., wife of Thomas Gildersleeve, who 
sketch also appears elsewhere in this work.