SCOTT, James - 1904 - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

In the death of James Scott, Holt County I see one of its earliest settlers. His death occurred at his home in this city on Tuesday of this week March 1, 1904 after a long and lingering illness. He was a native of Washington County, Virginia where he was born October 26 1821 being 82 years and six months old.  In his early days he worked upon the farm and attended the neighborhood schools.  He accompanied his parents to Fountain County, Indiana in 1834 where his father died in 1838 leaving the care of the family upon Mr. Scott.  In the fall of 1840 the family located in Cole County near Jefferson City. In March 1842, the family came to Hold County and located on a farm some four miles north of Oregon, where they preempted a piece of wild land and commenced to make a farm. At that time there were few inhabitants in the county and a few roving bands of Indians and may were the hardships endured by those who first sought homes on the frontier.  Mr. Scott was twice married; h8is first marr was in March 1855 to Sophrania A. Johnson in Morgan County, Missouri; she died March 5, 1893.  His second wife was Mrs. James A. Keeves and they were marred March 1894 who survives, together with three sisters, Mrs. Emma Stanley, Mary A. Evans, Eleanor Menifee and nephews, RO and BF Plummer, Charles and JE Evans, WAF Staley and RG Emerson nieces, Ella Staley, Jennie Plummer of his county; Ida Dillingham of Hiawatha, Kansas; Ella Campbell of Tarcio?; JC Menifee of Indian Territory and RL Menefee of Washington and also nephews. There were no children born by either union.  In 1846 Mr. Scott was elected county assessor of Holt County and filled the office four terms. In the fall of 1859 he was elected county clerk and left the farm, moving to Oregon and served in this office until compelled to retire by the convention ordinance in 1861(4?) which threw out all the officers of the state.  He then became engaged in the real estate business which he continued until 1867 when he and Levi Zook opened the first bank in this city and continued in this business until 1873 when he moved on a farm three miles east of Oregon.  In 1880 he returned to Oregon and purchased the property occupied by him up to the time of his death.  On his return to this city he was engaged in loaning money. During the Civil War period he was always regarded as a Union man, but was always a Democrat until 1896 when he voted for Mr. McKinley on the money issue. Mr. Scott at odd times through the winter months taught school and taught the first term of the Richville school and its first enrollment was 10.  Its original number was 1 and the district was organized in 1867.  Mr. Scott cared for his mother throughout her widowhood and she died at his home in this city in July 1888 at the age of 85 years. Mr. Scott was among the oldest members of the Presbyterian Church of this city and for years was one of its Elders. The funeral services were conducted from this church on Thursday morning of this week, conducted by the pastor, Rev. James McFarland who was assisted by Rev. HA Sawyers of St. Joseph the remains being laid to rest in the Maple Grove cemetery. - kbz