Luke Potter POLAND, born 1 Nov 1815 in Westford, VT, oldest son of Luther (b. March 1790) and Nancy (Potter) Poland; grandson of Joseph Poland. Initially a teacher (Morrisville,VT.) studied law with Judge Samuel Willard in Morrisville. Opened a practice in Greensboro,VT and admitted to the Bar at age 21 on Dec 1836 at Lamoille County court. 

          A Free Soil Democrat, he was elected judge of the supreme court in 1848. He was a prominent politician and legal mind in Vermont during these years. "He had no superior as a nisi prious judge". He moved to St. Johnsbury in 1850. In 1878 he was a legislator from St. Johnsbury, VT as a Republican. 

          He married Martha Smith on 12 January 12, 1838 and had three children by this marriage: Martin L., Mary, and Isabel. Martha died in April of 1853. He married Adelia H. Page, sister of his deceased wife. 
 
 

[Portrait by Metropolitan Publishing and Engraving Co., Boston]
Source: Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, by Hamilton Child, May, 1887, page 73. 

Additional information available from Tom Dunn who provided this photo and biographical sketch.