Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, Capps studied at both the Chicago and Pennsylvania Academies of Fine Art. He married and moved to Wichita to become a member of C.A. Seward's staff at Western Lithograph where he stayed for many years. Capps, along with Seward, Birger Sandzen, Herschel Logan and others founded the Prairie Printmakers society. His work can be found in the Swedish National Museum, the Philbrook Art Center and the Carnegie Institute. He was awarded prizes by the Library of Congress in 1941 and 1948. Capps was a member in the Society of American Etchers, Chicago Society of Etchers, and numerous other groups. He received awards for a number of his etchings and aquatints. His works are held in the Library of Congress, The National Academy of Design, Swedish National Museum, and the Carnegie Institute.