Judge J. Taylor Potts

Judge J. Taylor Potts is one of the influential and distinguished citizens of Panola county, Chickasaw nation, and is now serving his second term as county judge. He was born within two miles of his present home in Panola County on December 27, 1848. His father, Joseph Bevard Potts, was of English and Scotch-Irish descent and was born in North Carolina. On leaving his native state he immigrated to Alabama and then to Mississippi, and thence came to Indian Territory, in 1833, becoming one of the oldest settlers of this portion of the country. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate service and died near Tishomingo, in 1864, while a member of the army.

His wife bore the maiden name of Rhoda Gunn and was a Choctaw Indian woman. (Records show that Rhoda Gunn was Chickasaw not Choctaw.) Twice married, she was the widow Colbert at the time she was joined in wedlock to Mr. Potts. The Judges parents are both deceased. Reared to farm life, Judge Potts is now a wealthy country gentleman, living two miles east of the town of Colbert upon land, which he owns. He has extensive landed possessions and the property is divided into two tracts, which are occupied by tenants. In 1898 he was called to public office by the vote of the people, who thus recognized his worth and ability. He was chosen county judge of Panola county, and after two years’ service, in which his “even-handed justice won golden opinions from all sorts of people,” he was elected for a second term, so that his incumbency will cover a period of four years.

The Judge has been twice married. His first union was with Emily Love, who died some years ago. His present wife bore the maiden name of Mary Barrett and was born in Cherokee county, Texas. She is a daughter of David W. and Bettie (Hill) Barrett, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, and are now deceased. The Judge has had eight children, namely: Mrs. Amanda Ramsey, Mrs. Laura Shelton (deceased), Goldey A., John Taylor, Allie May, Mary Mertle, Benjamin Alexander and Annie Eliza.

Picture of Benjamin Alexander Potts

The Judge holds membership in the Odd Fellows society and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church, South, to the support of which he contributes liberally, taking an active interest in its work and upbuilding. Both the Judge and his wife have the high regard of a large circle of friends and his prominence in the community is indicated by his public office, which has been won through merit.

The above was transcribed by Stephen Lee Potts, Great, Great Grandson of Judge John Taylor Potts from pages 928, 929 of the book:

INDIAN TERRITORY: Descriptive Biographical and Genealogical, Including the Landed Estates, Country Seats, Etc., Etc., by D. C. Gideon, published 1901 by The Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago.