The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the four sons of Captain John Potts, one of the old pioneers of the Solomon valley, who, after a residence of thirty-five years on his homestead near Glasco, removed to southeastern Kansas, in the vicinity of Parsons. He was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the community and his removal was regretted. He had the honor of captain conferred upon him by Governor Crawford, during the Indian uprisings on the Solomon. He with others organized the company which he commanded.

Charles Potts was born in the "Hoosier" state in 1863 and emigrated with his parents to Kansas in 1866, during the turbulent Indian times. He has been educated and grown to manhood in the vicinity of Glasco, where he owns eighty acres of land, and with his brother, A.F. Potts, the fifth son, operates a threshing machine. They do an extensive business, handling from thirty to seventy thousand bushels of grain in a season. A.F. Potts was born near Glasco in 1875. He was married in July, 1901, to Miss Ella Hunt Gregg, a daughter of G.W. Gregg, a farmer with residence in Glasco. There are two other brothers - Joseph C., who is interested in a mineral water establishment in Kansas City. He was a successful Cloud county teacher for several years. In 1888-9 he was principal of the Lincoln school in Concordia. Morton Elmer is a prosperous farmer of Labette county, Kansas. A brother, sixteen years of age, was accidentally killed on August 19, 1876. On his return from hunting he stopped at a neighbors to procure a drink of water; the gun which he had rested aginst[sic] the curbing, fell to the ground and was discharged, the young man receiving the contents just below the knee. Before the services of a physician could be obtained he almost bled to death. The leg was amputated, but the unfortunate boy died under the operation.

The accompanying illustration shows the original Kansas home of Captain Potts, which was supplanted by a commodious and modern residence several years ago. This old landmark has been torn down since the photo was taken by Mr. Soule specially for this volume. The old cabin which sheltered the family during the stirring Indian scenes, when dangers menaced them upon every side and where they spent anxious days and nights momentarily anticipating the dread warwhoop, has sunk into oblivion. Again there are doubtless many pleasant memories clustered around its fireside, for pioneers are a unit when giving expression to the sympathy, neighborly kindness and good cheer that prevailed in the early days. There is a pathos in the obliteration or blotting out of these monuments of pioneer days; however, the conditions seemingly demand it and they are ruthlessly torn down and forgotten.