My Genealogy Hound

Patrick Scott, an esteemed and popular citizen of Saline Township, was born in St. Clair County, Ala., December 3, 1826, and is the son of William M. Scott, one of the early settlers, having come here in 1833. Mr. Scott was one of the commissioners who laid out and helped to form the present survey of the county. He represented the county in an early day legislature, and was a botanic physician of no mean ability. Patrick Scott is the fifth in a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. He came to Arkansas in the latter part of 1833, and was educated in the schools of Alabama and Arkansas. He chose to follow his father’s occupation, and that he made a success of his choice, that of farming, is proven beyond a doubt. When twenty-three years old he was married to Miss Jane Nelson, a native of North Carolina, and the daughter of John and Nancy (Burnsides) Nelson. She was born September 25, 1826, and married August 9, 1849. Their marriage has been blessed with nine children: A. W. (born August 5, 1850, married), Mary T. (born October 4, 1852, died February 1, 1857), John M. (born October 17, 1854, married), Laura A. (born December 15, 1856, now Mrs. Tarplay), Patrick H. (born July 10, 1859, married), W. C. (born February 4, 1872, deceased May 8, 1885), Benjamin T. (born March 17, 1864, unmarried and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church), R. A. (born February 12, 1867, married) and Samuel B. (born August 27, 1869, a student of Fayetteville University). Shortly after his marriage Mr. Scott settled on the farm where he now resides, consisting of about 270 acres with 100 under cultivation. He erected fine buildings, including house, etc., and good fences. The orchards are second to none in the county, and altogether it is one of the finest farms in that part of the country. During the last eight or ten years Mr. Scott has made his own and neighbors’ sorghum, and has always raised all crops necessary for his own use. During the war Mr. Scott remained at home, so was never injured nor did he suffer particular inconvenience, consequently he harbors no prejudices against any one. He is one of those quiet, unassuming men who has never aspired to official positions or filled any office except that of director of school district. In politics he sides with the Democrats. He is a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since 1860 Mr. Scott has been a minister of that church, and in 1867 was ordained deacon; in 1871 ordained elder, and has always been an earnest worker in the church and Sunday-school. He was the leading spirit in locating and securing the Salem camp-ground in 1867, which is probably one of the most noted places of that kind in the State, and also helped to organize the Salem Church in 1859. Mr. Scott is not a follower, but a leader in all enterprises that betoken the good or growth of the country.