Kapitokhin was born in Kamenka-Loginovka village, Eletsky County, Oryol Governorate. He graduated from the fourth grade of rural school. He studied at the teacher's school for three years and graduated in 1909 with the rank of primary school teacher. In 1911 he graduated from another teachers' college and became a teacher of Russian language and literature in Borisoglebovskoe village, where he worked until conscription in 1914.