California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 EDWIN S. SCOTT.� It is a well known and oft proven fact that the young man reared in the "lap of luxury" and indulged in every whim and fancy from youth to manhood, is seriously handicapped in the race for suc- cess, if that success, speaking financially, ever becomes dependent upon his own efforts ; while the youth who from boyhood upward must needs depend largely upon his own efforts, and whose education is at least partly the fruits of his own toil, is in after life the brain and brawn of a mighty country, the material of which new enterprises are formed, and upon whom the foundations of the Republic rest as surely as the Republic stands. Such a man as this is Edwin S. Scott, D. D. S., of Fort Bragg, one of the leading young professional men of Mendocino county, with the promise of coming power and influence in the political life of his county and state. Though not a native son of the Golden West, Dr. Scott is to all intents and purposes a Californian, having been brought here by his parents when he was a child of but four years. He was born near Paris, Edgar county. Ill., June 26, 1877, and it was in 1881 that his parents removed to California, locating in Mendocino county. Here the son grew to young manhood, secur- ing his elementary education in the public schools and in the Mendocino high school. Already he was filled with a desire to teach, and soon after com- pleting his high school course he took the teachers' examinations, passing with credit and securing a certificate entitling him to carry out his cherished plans. For several years he taught at different points in the county, with one year at Westport, three years at Caspar and at other places, making many friends and gaining a valuable insight into social conditions and a close knowledge of human nature. This was not the life work of the young teacher, however, and after a few years he found that he desired other things, and especially did he desire higher education and special knowledge. Accordingly in 1903 he gave up his teaching and matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, entering the department of dentistry. Here he continued his studies until 1906. when he was graduated with new honors, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Immediately the young doctor returned to Fort Bragg and opened a suite of offices, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession. Dr. Scott was so well and favorably known in Mendo- cino county that he did not have to wait for patronage, but soon found himself with a healthy and growing practice. In his political affiliations Dr. Scott is socialistic and is considered by the Socialist party to be one of the strongest men of the organization in his com- munity. As proof of their admiration for and confidence in the ability of the rising young dentist, it may be said that he was chosen as a candidate of his party for the Assembly, and that the vote cast in his favor was a very flattering one, and an evident tribute to his personal popularity and to the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and friends of other political faiths as well as by his party supporters. Dr. Scott attributed his success largely to the influence of his mother, who made every effort to make it possible for her children to obtain an edu- cation. Through her influence he was inspired to make the most of his oppor- tunities and to attain as high a place as possible. Dentistry became his chosen profession, and in pursuing it he has ever held aloft the banner of excellence which was his watchword in earlier days. Dr. Scott is a man of much public spirit, and a progressive in all matters for civic and social betterment. He has become closely identified with local affairs and is acknowledged as a man of influence and a leader of no small ability. He is a prominent member of Mendocino Lodge No. 179, F. & A. M., a member of the Ocean View Chapter, O. E. S., an Odd Fellow, a Red Man and a Moose. Of these latter two he is past dictator of the Moose and is past sachem of Santana Tribe No. 60, I. O. R. M. On August 16. 1914, at Yerington, Nev., Dr. Scott was married to Miss Frances Louise McGowan, daughter of Mrs. T. M. McGowan of that place.