[8] He was active in politics as a Republican, and ran unsuccessfully for prosecuting attorney of Oakland County[9] and city clerk of Pontiac.

[2] Burtt won election to the South Dakota Senate in 1892, and served one term, 1893 to 1895.

[2] When Attorney General John L. Pyle died in 1902, Governor Charles N. Herreid appointed Burtt to fill the vacancy, and he served from March 1902 until January 1903.

[17] Burtt was an active member of the Masons and the Elks, and had a reputation as an effective orator, which caused him to be sought out for speeches at political meetings, holiday commemorations, and other events.

[1] In 1857, Burtt married Emily Elizabeth Beebe (1836–1910) of West Bloomfield, New York.