George S.C. Scott. A
prominent merchant and dealer in queensware, crockery,
etc,. in McGregor, is a native of Arkansas, born at
Arkansas Post, November 26, 1820; he was reared on the
frontier and received his early education in the private
schools of Polk County.
His father, Hon. Andrew Scott, was Judge of the Supreme
Court of the territory of Arkansas (as it was long before
the time that it was admitted to the sisterhood of
states) and was the first Postmaster in Polk County. He
was a native of Virginia and was one of the prominent
pioneers of Arkansas Territory, to which he removed in
1819. He served in the Legislature of the same territory,
was a delegate in the Constitutional Convention, and
helped draw up the Constitution of the state. In politics
he was a pronounced Whig and a man of strong personality.
Though he had received only a limited education in his
youth he was a great student and largely self educated.
He studied for the legal profession in the law office of
his brother, Hon, John Scott, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and
after completing his course of reading was admitted to
the Bar in Missouri; he was soon after appointed to the
Superior Bench of Arkansas Territory. For many years he
held a leading place in state and judicial matters, being
pronounced in his views and a man well fitted by nature
and education to become a leader of men and molder of
their opinions.
He was called from this life in 1850. His devoted wife,
Eliza (Jones) Scott, who had previously died, in
March,1835, in Arkansas, was a sister of the noted
general, George W. Jones, of Dubuque, Iowa, and was a
lady of many admirable qualities.
The childhood and youth of G. S. C. Scott was passed on
his father’s farm in Polk County, Ark., and he was
only fifteen years of age when death deprived him of his
fond mother. He received his education in the private
schools of Polk County and became thoroughly versed in
agricultural affairs. Upon attaining his majority he went
to Clarksville, Ark., and served as Deputy Clerk of
Johnson County under A. M. Ward, who was at that time
Clerk. After remaining in the position for a time he
returned to farm duties, engaging in the occupation for
three years.
For a short time in 1850 our subject clerked in a general
merchandise store at Clarksville, and in the spring of
the same year started for the Pacific Slope, going
overland with ox-teams. Arriving in California after six
months spent on the way, he proceeded to devote himself
to gold mining, at which he worked for two years with
fair success. Then returning to Clarksville he resumed
his former occupation of clerking, continuing at the same
for a year and a half.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. Scott came to McGregor, and is
partnership with his brother, H. Clay, engaged in general
merchandising under the name of Scott & Bro. After
several years of successful business together, our
subject bought out his brother’s interest and
continued the concern for several years. He then embarked
in the wholesale crockery and glassware business in 1858,
turning his attention more particularly to the wholesale
trade until 1892.
Since the latter date he has also engaged in retailing
quite extensively and is succeeding fairly in his
business undertakings. While in the wholesale trade, he
made sales in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, meeting with
good success.
In February, 1844, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and
Jennette Moore, a native of Montgomery, Ala. Her father,
William Moore, was born in the Old Dominion and became a
prominent planter near Montgomery.
Nine children, eight of whom , graced the marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Scott: Martha, wife of John H. Andrick; William
A., a resident of LaCrosse, Wis; Eugene C., Jacob G., and
Homer J., of McGregor; Hattie, deceased; Elizabeth, Mrs.
E. N. Galland, of this city; Addie Josephine, Mrs. E. I.
Fisher, whose home is in Minneapolis; and Annie M., a
bookkeeper in her father’s store.
One of the staunchest and most influential citizens of
McGregor, Mr. Scott has always been esteemed and highly
respected. Fraternally, he holds membership with Beezer
Lodge No. 135, A. F. & A. M., of which he is one of
the charter members. In politics he is an active worker
in the ranks of the Prohibition Party. In manner he is
pleasant and agreeable, making friends readily, and by
his thoroughly trustworthy and honorable qualities
retaining them.
~source: Portrait and Biographical Record
of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman
Pub. Co., 1894; pg 466-467
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell
|
