James A. Scott is a member of the general contracting firm of Hayes & Scott, also conducting a planing mill business at No. 246 Grove street, in New Haven. He was born Decem-ber 21, 1876, in Kingston, Canada, a son of James S. Scott, a native of London, England, who emigrated to the new world in 1865 and settled in Kingston, where he was engaged in carpentering and building. In 1870 he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he erected the city hall, and remained at that place for three years. He then again went to Kingston. Canada, where he continued his residence until 1878, when he established his home at West Haven, Connecticut. He was for eleven years actively and successfully engaged in the contracting business in New Haven, winning a liberal patronage that made his undertakings profitable. As the years passed he added annually to his income, so that he is now the possessor of a handsome competence which enables him to live in retirement from business, in New Haven. In early manhood he wedded Emily Dyson, a native of London, England, and on coming to the new world she took up her abode at Kingston, Canada, where she resided for several years prior to the arrival of Mr. Scott. There she was engaged in teaching and eventually she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Scott, who sought her hand in marriage. To their union were born twelve children, nine of whom are living; the mother also survives.
     James A. Scott was the second of this family. He acquired his education in the public schools of New Haven, pursuing his studies to the age of fourteen years, when he started out in the business world, being apprenticed to learn the carpenter's and builder's trades. He worked as a journeyman along that line for twenty years and in 1911 entered into partnership with R. D. Hayes under the present firm style of Hayes & Scott. From the beginning the firm has prospered and the business is now one of pronounced success. In addition to receiving a large patronage as contractors and builders they conduct a planing mill which has a floor space of five thousand square feet and in the mill they employ on an average twenty skilled workmen. They have erected many substantial buildings in New Haven and this section of the state, and enjoy a well merited reputation by reason of their fidelity to the terms of their contracts and their integrity in all business matters.
     On the 4th of October, 1899, Mr. Scott was married in New Haven, in St. Mary's Catholic church, by the Rev. Father Lilley to Miss Mary Carter. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born four children, James Carter. Thomas Carl, Marion, and one who died in infancy.
     In his political views Mr. Scott is independent, considering the capability of a candidate, not his party affiliation. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and with the Fraternal Benefit League. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and his membership is in St. John's parish of Highwood. His military record covers service with Company D of the Connecticut National Guard, in which he was a private for three years. Whatever he has undertaken in a business way he has achieved and he fully merits his success. He is determined and energetic and, moreover, he early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and has ever made industry the beacon light of his life. His capability, resourcefulness and integrity in business are the crowning points in his career and have contributed in large measure to the substantial success which has placed the firm of Hayes & Scott in the ranks of the leading contractors of New Haven.