My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM SCOTT.
When the agitation of the slavery question brought on the Civil war resulting more immediately from the attempt of the south to secede, men from all walks of life responded to the call of the country and enlisted under the Union banner. For four long years the greatest civil war in history was continued. Forty-seven years have come and gone since its outbreak and the men who wore the blue uniform are fast passing away. Among the veterans who have responded to the last roll call is numbered William Scott, who for many years was a respected and valued resident of Grant township, his home being on section 33. He served his country as a valiant soldier, enlisting at the first call for three months’ troops.

He was born in Mercer county, New Jersey, on the 20th of April 1831, and was there reared to manhood, while in the public schools he obtained his education. In April, 1861, when Fort Sumter was fired upon and war was thus declared, he offered his services at once to the government for three months, for he had watched with interest the progress of events in the south and had resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. On the expiration of his first term he veteranized with Company A, of the Second New Jersey Cavalry and became color sergeant, carrying the regimental colors on many a hotly contested battlefield, holding aloft the flag to the support of which his comrades in army many times rallied. He continued at the front until the close of his second term of enlistment, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged in December, 1864. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Cold Harbor and the battle of the Wilderness He was never wounded nor taken prisoner, nor was he absent from duty for illness or any other cause. His was a splendid military record and he belonged to that great host of brave soldiers whose loyalty to the Union caused the nation to suspend over the principal avenue of its capital city at the close of the war a banner bearing the device, “The only debt which our country cannot pay is the one she owes her soldiers.”

When the war was over, Mr. Scott returned home and engaged in railroad contracting and building in Pennsylvania. He operated from Philadelphia for several years and in 1877 came to Iowa, locating in Union county. He arrived in Creston in October of that year and for two years was connected with railroad work on the Burlington. He then determined to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits and purchased land in Platte township, which he cultivated and improved, building thereon a good house and barn.

On the 15th of January, 1881, Mr. Scott was married, in Creston, to Miss Rebecca Henry, who was born and reared in Iowa, spending much of her girlhood in Union county. Her father, William Henry, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to this state when a young man, in 1856. He was married in Iowa to Miss Rachel Mullenix, a native of Ohio, and in this state devoted his time and energies to general farming. He reared his family upon the old homestead, Where he spent his last years, passing away in 1890. His widow still survives him and now makes her home with her son, Edward Henry, in Missouri.

After living in Platte township for some time, Mr. Scott sold his property there and purchased eighty acres of land in Grant township. He cultivated and improved that for sixteen years and then again sold out, purchasing the farm on section 33, Grant township, upon which his family still reside. Immediately he began its further improvement and development. He remodeled and added to the house, thus securing a comfortable and commodious residence. He also built the necessary outbuildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock and made the farm what it is today—a valuable, productive property. He had here one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, which, responding readily to the care and labor he bestowed upon it, brought to him a good financial return. He also made a business of raising and feeding stock and was well known throughout the county as an enterprising and prosperous business man.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born six children: George Thomas, who is traveling agent on the Chicago, Great Western Railroad, with headquarters at Des Moines; Colonel Elsworth Scott, who is associated with his mother in carrying on the home farm; Mabel Rachel; who is a graduate of the high school of Shannon City, and is now the wife of I. E. Snyder, living on Carlton Snyder farm; and Laura Frances, at home. They lost two children in infancy.

The death of the husband and father occurred August 4, 1905. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life, upright and honorable, commended him to the confidence and good will of all and to his family he left an untarnished name. He was not only a valiant soldier of the Civil war, but fought all life’s battles fearlessly and never faltered in his loyalty to what he believed to be his duty. Mrs. Scott is also a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church and, interested in its work, has aided in its activities in various ways, especially as a teacher in the Sunday school. In the fall of 1907 she and her youngest daughter made an extensive visit in the east, going to Philadelphia, Trenton, New Jersey, New York city, Brooklyn and also Atlantic City, spending nearly two months on the trip, during which time they visited Mr. Scott’s relatives in the east. The family is well known in this locality and the members of the household enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in this part of the county.