My Genealogy Hound

Joseph Potts, farmer, Potts Station, Ark. The father of our subject, Kirkbride Potts, was born in the Keystone State but in his youthful days removed to New Jersey, and from there to Missouri in 1820. After residing in the last named State for a few years he came to Arkansas and was married there in February, 1828, to Miss Permelia Logan, a native of Wayne County, Mo. Their union resulted in the birth of nine children—seven sons and two daughters. The mother of these died in August, 1878, and the father in November of the next year, when seventy-six years of age. Joseph Potts, one of the above-mentioned children, was born November 27, 1831, in Pope County, Ark., and here he obtained his growth and received his education. During the war he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Capt. Scott’s company, Brook’s battalion of cavalry, and his first engagement was at Elkhorn, Ark. After that he was sent east of the Mississippi River, and was wounded and captured at the bloody battle of Corinth. He was sent to Vicksburg and exchanged in 1863. After this he was sent to the hospital at Clinton, Miss., where he remained three weeks and was then sent to Grenada to join his command. He was in the battle at Baker’s Creek, and he and his whole command were captured the next day at Black River. They were put on boats, sent up the Mississippi River, and when about twenty miles above Memphis, during the night, he and his brother, Richard, and another man, jumped overboard and swam ashore. Thus Mr. Potts made his escape and made his way to Pope County, Ark., where he remained until September, 1863, or until Dardanelle was captured by the Federal troops. He then joined the Confederate Army in Perry County, Ark., and was in the Mark’s Mill engagement under Gens. Fagan, Shelby and Marmaduke against Gen. Steele of the United States Army. His command was disbanded at Arkadelphia, and after surrendering at Little Rock, he returned home in June, 1865. He began farming and in this occupation he continued until 1872, since which time he has been station agent and postmaster at Potts Station. He still owns his farm of 200 acres and of this he has 125 acres under cultivation. He is now fifty-eight years of age and is single in life. He is a Democrat in politics and has always been a liberal contributor to schools, churches and, in fact, to all enterprises for the good of his country.