Biographical Sketches
J. M. SCOTT
Classed with the respected and representative farmers of Washington township, Jackson county, Missouri, we find the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. His farm, located on Section 34, comprises 100 acres.
Mr. Scott's parents, Thomas and Mary (Merrin) Scott, were natives of England, the former born in 1799 and the latter in 1792. Their marriage was consummated in Nottingham, England, and that place continued to be their home until 1829, when they emigrated to America and located in Albany, New York. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that vocation in this country. In 1833 they removed to Michigan, first settled in Detroit, and 2 years later took up their abode in Ann Arbor, which continued their abiding place until 1866. That year they came to Missouri, and in Kansas City the residue of their lives was passed. Both died in Kansas City, in the year 1884. They were the parents of 6 children, viz: Mary, who died of cholera in Detroit, at the age of 7 years; J. M., the subject of this article; William, who married a Miss Leonard, lives at LaPorte, Indiana, and has 1 child; Theresa was twice married, first to Dr. Henry Dean, and secondly to Dr. S. S. Todd, and died without issue; Delia, wife of D. S. Twichell, an attorney of Kansas City, Missouri, died and left a husband and 2 sons; and Mary Elizabeth, who died in childhood. The parents of this family were members of the Society of Friends, and the father was active in church work.
John Scott, the father of Thomas and grandfather of our subject, was likewise of English birth. His father was a Scotchman. John was one of a family of 11 brothers who scattered to widely different parts of the earth. He died in Michigan in 1865, at the age of 86 years.
J. M. Scott was born in Albany, New York, July 29, 1829, and was reared and educated in Michigan, his educational advantages being limited to the common schools. In Michigan he learned the carpenter's trade, under his father's instructions, and worked at that trade until he was crippled in his right arm and left leg. After this he learned the business of photography, to which his attention was given for a period of 16 years in Ann Arbor. In the spring of 1865 he came to Missouri and settled on his present farm in Jackson county, it being then all wild land. Here he has labored earnestly and persistently and his efforts have been rewarded with success. His farm is now under a high state of cultivation, is nicely improved, and is one of the desirable places of the locality.
Mr. Scott was married in 1853 to Miss Louisa Collier, a native of New York City, born in 1833, daughter of Orin Collier, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have 5 sons and 1 daughter, viz: George A., who married Miss Sallie Robertson and lives at Hickman Mills, this township, is the father of 3 daughters; Walter L., who married Miss Emma Price and has a son and daughter, lives in Vernon county, Missouri; Charles C., at home; William and his wife, formerly Miss Mary Faulkner, have one daughter; their home being in Washington township; Delia, at home; and Henry A., who married Miss Lillie R. Shaw and lives in this township.
For a period of 44 years Mr. Scott has been a member of the Baptist church, but Mrs. Scott has united with the Christian church at Hickman Mills. Of his political views, we would state that he has ever harmonized with the republican party, and to this party he has given his earnest support. For 15 years he has been school director of his district.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.