SCOTT, David H, - Putnam

For over half a century David H. Scott has been one of the pominent citizens of Monroe County, iowa where he has made an enviable record not only as a progressive farmer but also as a public-spirited man who has been raised to high places of trust in his county and now in the declining days of his long career he enjoys that satisaction which always belongs to the man of upright character. On February 25, 1797 Alexander Scott was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; he later removed to Fleming County, Kentucky, where he was married to Martha Wills, who was a native of Fleming County, Kentucky born 1806. Shortly after their marriage in 1827, they came to Putnam County, Indiana. There Mr. Scott who was a farmer and wheelwright by occupation, located on a strip of timber land and spent considerable time in clearing and improving it. Both of these worthy people died in Indiana, the husband passing away in 1879 on the same day and month of which his birth occurred and his wife in 1847. David H. Scott who was a child of the above parents, was born in Fleming County, Kentucy June 27, 1825 and he attended school and worked on the home farm until he was 21. He then married and he and his wife first went to housekeeping in Clinton County, Indiana where they lived on a rented farm one year; they next moved to Putnam County and farmed 4 years. On October 1, 1850, they arrived in Iowa; in the previous year Mr. Scott had come to Monroe County and entered a piece of land six miles north of the present town of Albia, and on this he built a log cabin and a wheelwright's shop and settled down to real life. In the fall of 1854 he sold out and purchased a farm that now joins Albia on the north; much time and money were spent in the improvement of this property and in 1861 he disposed of this land and bought a farm 4 miles east of Albia, to which he removed in the spring of 1862. In August of this year his patriotic spirit aroused him to enlist in Co. A, 36th Iowa Infantry; he entered the service as 1st Sgt and was later commissioned 2nd Lt. but after two years' service while in the discharge of his duty as an officer of the government, he suffered a broken leg and resigned his position and returned home. While away in the army he had left his farm to the care of his wife and children, who right nobly performed the vigorous duties pertaining to its management. On his return he took up the work of improvement and resided there until 1896; in this year he sold out and removed to Albia, wher ehe and his wife now make their home, relieved from the cares and responsibilities of earlier life and enjoying the ease which comes as the result of diligent effort. Mr. Scott has an excellent record as a public-spirited man and as a leading member of the Republic party of his county. In 1854, when the movements were on foot to establish what is now the Republican Party he helped to organize the party in Monroe County and has ever since been one of the active spirits in politics. For 20 years he served as assessor of his township and as a final reward for his services and in recognition of his ability in 1895 was elected to the Iowa house of representatives from his county; he served in the session of the following year and also in the extra sesion which followed, called for the purpose of revising the state laws. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are devoted members of the First Presbyterian Church; Mr. Scott has been an elder for 43 years and twice sent to the Presbyterian General assembly, one at Saratoga, NY in 1883 and one at Portland oregon in 1892. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. On 16 Oct 1845, Mr. Scott married Miss Mary Wills, who was born in Fleming Co, Ky May 28, 1827. Her parents, David and Sarah Ramsey Wills, were natives of Ky, the father being born March 1799, died 1868 and mother born Jan 1, 1807 died March 29, 1889; they were married in Ky and he followed farming as a life occupation; in October 1837, they moved from Kentucky and went to Putnam County, Indiana and remained there until 1850 when they came to Monroe County, Iowa where they made their home until death; for a number of years they were on a farm one mile south of Albia. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the parents of 9 children, 5 of whom are living: Mrs. Clara Ellen Clodfelter of Independence, Oregon; Sarah Martha died at age 6; Margaret Ann died two years after her marriage to Mr. Charles Fox; Mrs. Mary E. Smith lives four miles south of Albia; Mrs. Melissa Jane Cooper lives in this county; Charles Sumner died at age 4; Mrs. Laura Belle campbell is a resident of St. Louis; Mrs. Amy Mildred Dixon resides in Vincennes, Indiana and Emma died in infancy.