O. J. Potter, the cashier of the Easton State Bank of Easton, Kan., and a member of the school board, was born at Potter, Kan., Jan. 13, 1875, the son of Moses and Mary (Womach) Potter. Moses Potter was born and reared in Kentucky and received the education afforded by the early settlers in the West. His family moved to DeKaIb, Mo., and in 1857 the father, Thomas Potter, with his nine sons and one daughter, came to Kansas. They preëmpted land in Atchison county, where the town of Potter is now located and opened up one of the early settlements in that region. The old homestead is now owned by Joseph Potter, one of the original family. Moses Potter tendered his services to the government at the outbreak of the Mexican war and served with honor until mustered out of the army after peace was declared. He was a farmer and engaged in that vocation all his life. In politics Mr. Potter was a Democrat and was a local leader of that party in Atchison county. He died in 1902 and Mrs. Potter now resides with her daughter.

O. J. Potter was one of a family of ten children. He was reared on his father's farm, leading the healthy normal life of a country boy and shared all the hardships and privations incident to securing an education on the frontier. After finishing the public schools he studied at Stanberry Normal, at Campbell University, Holton, Kan., and then went to the Warrensburg State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo., to prepare himself for a teacher. Upon his return from Missouri Mr. Potter taught for eight years in Leavenworth county but resigned in 1904 to take charge of the Lambert Lumber Company's branch yard at Easton. He was a natural business man and met with marked success in this position. In 1906 he was offered and accepted the place of cashier of the Easton State Bank and has since served in that capacity. Mr. Potter is still young but is making a successful banker and is one of the rising men in the banking business.

On Aug. 24, 1898, he married Nora Hawes of Stanberry, Mo. Mr. Potter is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and a well known member of the Bankers' Association.