Biographical Sketch of

Samuel Scholes

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 757 - 758 


Samuel Scholes, who is a resident of Dartford, Wis., holds the position of County Clerk of Green Lake County, 
at the time of this writing in 1889.  He was born in Moundville, Marquette Co., Wis., Aug. 10, 1849, and is a 
son of William and Ann (Mills) Scholes.  The family is of English origin.  William Scholes was born in Oldham, 
England, about eight miles from Manchester, on the 14th of December, 1814, and as the silk industry is the chief 
one of that section, he learned the trade of a silk weaver in his youth, but afterward worked in a cotton factory.  
He rose successively step by step until he became Superintendent of the carding room, which position he resigned 
when coming to the United States.  He was united in marriage in England with Miss Ann Mills, who was born in 
Manchester, Nov. 19, 1814, and in that country they became the parents of six children, while the family circle 
was increased by the birth of five children, after they located in the town of Moundville, Marquette Co., Wis.  
In 1849, they sailed for the United States with the Twig colony, which was formed for mutual assistance.  Each 
member was to deposit a certain sum of money and on the arrival in America the association was to build a house 
for each family.  On their arrival the question arose which house should be built first, and to determine the 
matter, tickets were drawn and it fell to the lot of Mr. Scholes that his should be the first house erected.  
It was also one of the first houses built in Moundville Township, where he engaged in farming until March, 1864, 
when he enlisted in Company E, 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, and died on the 13th of October, of the same year in the 
hospital at Vicksburg, Miss.  He was past the age when men were usually taken into the service, but seeing his 
country in desperate straits he went forth to die for its cause.  At the time of his death he was in his forty-ninth 
year.  His wife survived him eleven years, dying Feb. 15, 1875, in the sixtieth year of her age.  She was a member 
of the Methodist Church and a faithful Christian woman.  The Government allowed her a pension from the date of her 
husband's death.
 
Samuel Scholes was the seventh in order of birth in his father's family.  He was reared to manhood upon a farm and 
acquired a fair education in the common schools, having to walk two and a half miles to the school house.  Like a 
dutiful son he remained at home, assisting his widowed mother in the care of the young children until 1870, when he 
came to Marquette, Green Lake County, embarking in life for himself.  He first entered the wagon and carriage shop 
of Alex Patrick, where he served an apprenticeship of four years, during which time he lost only four days for 
pleasure.  His faithfulness to his duty won him the confidence of his employer, who retained him for an assistant 
for some time after his term of service had expired.  He then went to Oshkosh, Wis., where he worked at his trade, 
but afterward returned to Marquette, where he fitted up a carriage and wagon shop of his own, continuing business 
in that line until 1888, when broken down in health he was forced to retire from hard labor.  Indolence or idleness 
is utterly foreign to his nature.  He was not content to lay aside all care and when proffered the nomination of 
County Clerk in the fall of 1888, he signified his willingness to become a candidate.  When the returns were brought 
in, it was found that he was triumphantly elected and he is now discharging the duties of that position.  He had 
previously had some experience in official life, having served as Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors and as 
Treasurer of the town of Marquette.
 
Mr. Scholes was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Mozley, the wedding taking place on the 28th of June, 1875.  
The estimable lady was born in Marquette, Sept. 6, 1855, and is a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Mozley, a native of 
England, who came to America when about eight years of age.  In Pennsylvania he married Elizabeth Van Natte, and 
brought her to Green Lake County during the early days of its history.  He was one of the pioneer Baptist preachers 
in this section of the State and one of its honored and respected citizens.
 
By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scholes three children have been born, one son and two daughters--Nellie E., Bonnie B. 
and S. Ray.  The parents attend the Baptist Church and in the social world hold a high position.  Politically, Mr. 
Scholes is a stalwart Republican and as every true American citizen should do, manifests a deep interest in political 
affairs.  He may be truly numbered among the self-made men of the community, for to his own efforts may be attributed 
his success, he having no capital with which to begin life.  






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