My Genealogy Hound

ALEXANDER H. SCOTT, Jr., M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon of St. Joseph, was born in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, Mich., on the 19th of September, The paternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Scott, was for many years a resident of New Hampshire, and became a pioneer of Ohio. Alexander H. Scott, Sr., father of our subject, was born in Columbus, Ohio, and as early as 1837 came to Michigan, settling in Schoolcraft, and embarking in the mercantile business at that place. He was quite successful in his business ventures and was one of the most prominent men in Schoolcraft. Late in life he came to St. Joseph, where he made his home until removed by death, in August, 1888.

The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, William Sherman, was a participant in the War of 1812. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Hatch, was born in Vermont, being the daughter of Sherman Hatch, of Scotch-Irish extraction. The eldest of four children (of whom only two now survive), the subject of this sketch passed his youth in the village of Schoolcraft, where he was a student in the schools. He afterward entered the Agricultural College at Lansing, continuing his studies there for some time.

Having resolved to enter upon the profession of a physician, young Scott read medicine with Dr. Boliver-Barnum, of Schoolcraft, after which he entered the medical department of Ann Arbor, and was graduated from that institution in March, 1867. Previous to this, however, he had spent four years in the service of the Union. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company C, Sixth Michigan Infantry, Col. F. W. Curtenius commanding. For one year he served as Color Sergeant, and afterward occupied the position of hospital steward for the same length of time. He was transferred to the Eleventh Army Corps and assigned to the Eighty-third United States Troops, serving as First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster. Later he received from Gov. Blair the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and was laboring in that position at the time the war closed. He was subsequently appointed Surgeon of the United States Hospital at Camden, Ark., and served in that capacity until March 8, 1866, when he was honorably discharged, after having served his country faithfully and well for a period of four years.

Returning to Michigan, the youthful veteran resumed his medical studies in the State University at Ann Arbor, from which, as above stated, he was graduated in 1867. At once after completing his studies he located at St. Joseph, Mich., where he conducted a general practice. He is Division Surgeon for the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, and local surgeon of the Vandalia Railroad, and has acquired an extended reputation throughout this section of the State as a physician of skill, thoroughness and great knowledge. He is at present serving as President of the Gold Cure Institute in St. Joseph. He is deeply interested in everything that pertains to his profession, and is an active member of the Berrien County Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

February 14, 1869, the Doctor married Miss Lydia M. Crandall, of Binghamton, N. Y., and a daughter of Robert L. Crandall. One daughter, Bella L., has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Scott. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and was honored by election to the position of Mayor in 1890-91, and also served as Trustee of St. Joseph for three terms. In regard to social connections, he is a member of Occidental Lodge No. 56, A. F. & A. M., of which he was Worshipful Master for twelve years. He is also a member of Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; St. Joseph Council, and Niles Commandery No. 12. He has attained to the thirty-second degree in Masonry and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.