Jay T. Botts of Coldwater is one of the representative lawyers of the younger generation in Kansas and has, through energy, ability and intrepid endeavor won a leading place for himself at the Comanche county bar. Mr. Botts was born April 2, 1874, on a farm in Licking county, Ohio, and in the same house in which his father, Isaac Botts, was born, Feb. 21, 1847. The latter was a farmer and came to Kansas in 1884, settling on government land near Coldwater; he died in the town of Coldwater, April 24, 1901. In 1872 Isaac Botts wedded Miss Minerva Drake, a native of Licking county, Ohio, born Sept. 27, 1843. Five children blessed this union, all of whom, except the youngest, was born on the old Botts homestead in Licking county, Ohio, and in the same house in which their father was born. Jay T. is the first in order of birth; Nellie, born Dec. 10, 1876, graduated in the Coldwater High School with the class of 1895 and is superintendent of public instruction in Comanche county, Kan.; John B., born in September, 1880, graduated in the Coldwater High School in 1897 and is in the butcher and ice business in Coldwater; Thomas N. L., born Feb. 17, 1883, is a graduate of the Coldwater High School, class of 1900; and Myrtle was born Feb. 19, 1889, on a farm seven miles southwest of Coldwater.

Jay T. Botts graduated in the Coldwater High School in 1894, and after teaching one term in a country school in Comanche county entered Central Normal College at Great Bend, Kan., April 2, 1895, his twenty-first birthday. He took up the science course there, and upon graduating, in 1896, returned to Coldwater, where he was made superintendent of the city schools. After serving in that capacity three years he entered the law department of the University of Kansas, in 1899, remaining one year. He then returned to Coldwater and resumed teaching for two years, in order to earn the necessary funds to complete his education in law. Returning to the University of Kansas, in 1902, he graduated in the law department of that institution, in 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The very determination and pluck with which he pursued his objective point, a good education and an adequate legal training, presaged for him a successful career, and the fact that in less than ten years' time he has acquired a standing at the head of his profession in Comanche county demonstrates that, though there is no indispensable formula for success, there are no obstacles which undaunted resolution, industry, and courage cannot surmount. He began the active practice of law at Coldwater in July, 1904, but that same year was elected clerk of Comanche county, on the Republican ticket, and for two terms, or four years, was engaged in the duties of that office. Upon the conclusion of his official duties he devoted his entire time to the practice of law at Coldwater, where he has his law office in his own brick building, erected expressly for that purpose and modern in every respect.

On June 21, 1905, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Botts and Miss Mabel E., daughter of Lewis P. and Ollie Troxel. Mrs. Botts was born at El Paso, Ill., Aug. 28, 1877, and was a teacher for five years prior to her marriage, her duties for four years of that period having been in Ford and Comanche counties, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Botts have one child, Ruth, born July 25, 1906.