Son of Samuel Atkins Capps and Mary Frances Lewis Capps, he was the third of ten children to be born. His siblings included:

Paris Pzaro Capps
James Willis Capps
Infant Girl Capps
Ollie Minervea Capps Wolfe
Infant Capps
Claudius Milton Capps
George Adkins Capps
Sarah Lodusca Elizabeth Capps Fullerton Youngblood Rickman
Cynthia Anna Capps Beaver

He first married Bertha York and together they had two children:
Van Douglas Capps, who died at the age of ten months and
Gorman Bransford Capps

Bertha York Capps died in 1958 and Ashby, as he was known, then married her cousin Bertha Virginia Meadows Lemons.

William "Ashby" Capps died Oct 31 1976 in Neosho, Newton Co., Missouri; about a year after his second wife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Neosho Times, March 8 1923

William Ashby Capps, B. Pe.

Since the Annual School Meeting is approaching and I am a candidate for County Superintendent of Public Schools of Newton County, it is just that the voter should know why I am asking for this important office.

There being other Cappses in the county, I shall give a brief history of my lineage. My Great grandfather, George Washington Lewis, came to Newton County (Missouri) in 1871. Two or three years later he located on a place five miles southeast of Neosho where he lived until he quit the walks of life.

My grandfather, (Christopher James Lewis) Kit Lewis, came to Newton County in 1882, also my father and mother, S. A. (Samuel Atkins Capps) Capps and Mary Frances (Lewis) Capps. The former located on a farm one and one-half miles below Stella on Indian Creek and there spent the remainder of his life. The latter moved on the Joe Lewis place near Wanda on North Indian Creek where I was born November 3, 1884.

Father's people remained in Tennessee whens the Lewises came.

Not long after I was born, father bought a farm on and one-half southwest of Stella where he lived for twenty-five years, thence moved to the Peter Rentsch place below Granby on Shoal Creek where he now lives.

My first course in education consisted of twenty-one years of rural school and farm life in rocky, stumpy and sprouty land of which I am not ashamed. At the end of this I received my eighth grade diploma.

The fall of 1906 I started to William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri. After fourteen weeks I found my small bank account exhausted. I returned to Neosho to finish Mr. J. H. H. Mote's term of school at Elm Springs.

The next fall I returned to William Jewel College where by hard work before and after school hours and on Saturdays to earn money I stayed four years taking academy and collegiate work. Again I was forced to quit school for lack of money. I began teaching of winters and attending the State Teacher's College, Springfield, Missouri, where I completed eight terms of work, graduating in 1914.

The winter of 1914-15 I taught at Haskell, Oklahoma. A town of 1700. The spring of 1915 I returned to Newton County where I have been teaching and farming every year since except two years in Civil Service for U.S.

My life has been spent in the rural districts and on the farm which gives me a chance to know and to understand the problems that are confronting the rural schools and the farmers in their present dark and benighted condition.

Farmers, I know what you are having to go thru. I extend to you my best wishes and if elected I will do all I can for your schools. I will endeavor to make them as near perfect as I can and produce the highest type of citizenship.

The reason I am asking for this office that I may be of service to you and at the same time to receive renumeration that will enable me to to thru our State University of which I Lack a little over a year.

Why I think I deserve the office. 1. Born and raised in the county. 2. School work appeals to me (can't quit). 3. Had a hard time getting my first degree. 4. Enjoy helping others (especially boys and girls). 5. I understand the farmer and know his difficulties. 6. I am qualified and know how a school ought to be taught and can teach one (but not perfect).

I would appreciate your support and thank you for your vote. If I am elected I will not ask for the office for more than two terms.

Listen to what the people say I have taught:

Neosho Mo, April 17 1913
To whom this may concern:
W. A. Capps taught our school the year of 1911-12 known as Silver Moon District 35. He taught us a very satisfactory school. We recommend his ability for teaching to be the very best. Yours truly, Nathan Wilson, President; W. H. Love, Clerk; Paris Boyd.

May 20 1913.
to whom this may concern:
This is to certify that the bearer, W. A. Capps, has taught our school fthe term of 1912-13 and has given general satisfaction, and we recommend him as a qualified instructor and a perfect gentleman. R. S. Martin, President of School Board.

Haskell, Okla. May 22 1915.
To whom this may concern:
The bearer, W. A. Capps, has instructed the seventh and eighth grade for the past year and is leaving of his own volition. The pupils in the foregoing grades were hard to handle and to the credit of Mr. Capps the year was most profitable. We recommend him as an earnest and conscientious teacher and citizen. Respectfully, F. P. Snider, School Director.

Granby, Mo. Feb 26 1923.
To whom it may concern:
The bearer, W. A. (Ashby) Capps is now teaching his third term of school at Shiloh, District No. 33 and has given the best of satisfaction. We take the greatest pleasure in recommending him as a law abiding citizen, a gentleman of the highest ideals and a character beyond re-reproach. He bears evidence of a great teaching, by knowing his subjects, speaking with authority and at the same time he is a loving, kind, patient, tactful and enduring, extending his sympathy to students and parents. He has convictions of his own and not afraid to say no to that which is not edifying but ready for councel. W. M. Farley, Clerk; W. E. White, W. T. Stipp, Directors; P. P. Capps, Pres.

Granby, Mo., Feb 24 1923.
to whom this may concern:
It affords us great pleasure to recommend W. A. Capps as a teacher. We most cheerfully bear record to his untiring zeal and close application as a student. As a teacher he possesses tact, enthusiasm and patience. His amiable disposition has won to him the hearts of his pupils. The year spent as a teacher in Greenwood District has endeared has endeared his name in the hearts of his pupiles. W. A. McDaniel, Clerk of District No. 34; E. W. Crouch.

July 30, 1914.

this is to certify that:
Mr. W. A. Capps taught two successful terms in two rural districts of this county under my supervision. Terms were eight months long and were among the best in the county. Mr. Capps is a hard working man and has shown the proper spirit by attending schools and making rapid improvement. I think you will make no mistake in selecting him as a teacher. Very truly, E. He. Newcomb, Ex-County Superintendent.