Biographical Sketch of

Andrew Scobie

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 572 - 573 


Andrew Scobie, one of Marquette County's representative citizens who is extensively engaged in the manufacture 
of plows in Neshkoro, Wis., is a native of Scotland, having been born in Pathgreen, Perthshire, Nov. 16, 1833.  
His parents, Andrew and Jane (Robertson) Scobie, were also natives of the same country, and with their family 
emigrated to America, in 1852, settling in Jefferson County, Wis., where the father followed the occupation of 
farming until 1867, when he removed to the town of Neshkoro, Marquette County, making that his home until his 
death, in 1872.  His wife survived her husband several years, passing away after a long and eventful life Jan. 
22, 1880.  That worthy couple were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are living with the exception of Mary, deceased wife of Thomas Wells, of Neshkoro, her death occurring Jan. 
21, 1887.

Andrew Scobie, whose name heads this sketch, is the eldest of the family.  He was nineteen years of age when 
he crossed the Atlantic to America and since that time has made his home in Wisconsin.  When twenty-five years 
of age, he led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth Harper, who was born on the Shetland Islands, Feb. 16, 1836, 
and was a daughter of Hinds and Barbara (Gody) Harper.  Her parents were also born on the Shetland Islands and 
remained in their native land until 1837, when they crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Genesee County, 
N. Y., which continued to be their home for a period of ten years, when in 1847, they took up their abode in 
Magnolia Township, Rock County, Wis.  They there resided until the dearth of the wife and mother which occurred 
July 25, 1862, after which Mr. Harper came to live with his daughter, Mrs. Scobie in Neshkoro.,  He survived 
his deeply mourned and estimable wife sixteen years and at length peacefully passed away on the 6th of April, 
1877, when eighty-two years of age.  The family of Mr. and Mrs. Harper numbered three sons and six daughters.  
Christina, the eldest, is the wife of Sylvester Craig of Waukau, Winnebago Co., Wis.; Barbara became the wife 
of H. G. O. Childs of Washington, and died May 1, 1858; Margaret is the widow of A. W. Peters, a former resident 
of Rock County, Wis.; Andrew died in Washington, Feb. 13, 1862, leaving a wife and four children; Janet is the 
wife of Hiram Preston of Rock County, Wis.; Mary died in infancy; William H, and Robert W. enlisted in the 
service of their country, Sept. 1 1886, at Camp Utley.  The former served until the close of the war, and being 
honorably discharged was mustered out in August, 1865, and is now a resident of Colorado, but Robert, being but 
a boy of seventeen years when he enlisted, was not strong enough to endure the hardships and trials of war and 
died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., in the month of March, 1863.

Elizabeth, another member of that family, as before stated was born on the Shetland Isles, and was but a babe 
when she was brought to America by her parents with whom she remained until her marriage.  She received her 
primary education in the district schools of the Empire State, and afterward pursued an academic course at 
Janesville, Wis.  At the age of sixteen she began teaching and for several years taught in the public schools 
of Rock County. The last school of which she had charge was in Neshkoro, when laying aside the duties of that 
profession she was united in marriage with Andrew Scobie.

This couple began their domestic life in Neshkoro, where they still make their home.  Their union has been blessed 
with four children, all sons, the eldest of whom, Andrew H. is engaged in business with his father; Willard R. is 
a resident of Dakota; Robert G. is engaged in milling; and Frank G., the youngest is still attending school.  The 
parents are numbered among the leading citizens of Marquette County and rank among the most highly esteemed residents 
of Neshkoro.  Mrs. Scobie is a consistent member of the Methodist Church, in which she was reared, and an earnest 
worker in the church and Sunday-school.  Since 1857, Mr. Scobie has been engaged in the manufacture of plows at 
Neshkoro, which business he still continues, his eldest son now being associated with him in that line.  They also 
do an extensive business in repairing and casting.  Mr. Scobie is ripe in years of experience and in knowledge of 
the world and ways of men and has been very successful in his business enterprises.  He justly ranks high in 
business and social circles and well deserves the high regard in which he is held.

 




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