Biographical Sketch of

George Scott

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 691 - 692


George Scott is the owner of a nice farm of 100 acres, situated on section 34.  Green Lake Township, where he has 
made his home since 1863, but has been a resident of the county since 1855.  Few men can tell more of the hardships 
and trials to be endured by the early settlers, for when he came to the county he was in very limited circumstances, 
and thus had to contend with many obstacles unknown to those who were more comfortably situated.  He was of English 
birth, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Pargeter) Scott, both of whom were natives of Buckinghamshire, England, 
where they made their home until their emigration to America.  Mr. Scott was a laborer, and by hard toil reared a 
family of four children, all of whom came to this country.  In the fall of 1862 the parents and three of the children 
joined our subject in Sullivan County, N. Y., whither he had come in the spring of the same year.  The children still 
live in that county, but the father died there in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the wife was called home 
when seventy-two years of age.
 
George is the oldest of the family.  He was born in Maidsmorton, about a mile from Buckingham, Aug. 2, 1829, and was 
there reared to manhood.  His educational advantages were very limited, but he has improved his opportunities, and 
by subsequent reading and observation has become a well-informed man and an intelligent citizen.  He was early inured 
to hard labor, and his life has been one of unceasing toil.  His first duty was to keep away the crows and other 
birds from the fields, and later he began working as a farm hand.  With the wages thus obtained, he paid his passage 
to America, where he determined to make his future home, but before embarking for the land across the water, he wedded 
Miss Ann Crook, the union being celebrated on the 5th of January, 1852.  Mrs. Scott was born at Leckhampstead, England, 
Sept. 5, 1829, about two miles from the birthplace of her husband, and is a daughter of William and Hannah (Johnson) 
Crook.  The young couple had saved their earnings prior to marriage, and four days after that happy event took place 
they sailed for New York City, taking ten weeks to make the trip.  On landing in the great Eastern metropolis, they at 
once proceeded to Sullivan County, where both Mr. and Mrs. Scott worked out.  In 1855, they came to Green Lake County, 
bringing with them their two little children, who graced their union in Sullivan County.  Their money was all exhausted 
in paying the expenses of the trip, but they again began working to secure a home, and in 1863, by their united earnings, 
they were able to purchase forty acres of wild land.  However, they only made a partial payment, giving notes for the 
rest.  As the land was wholly unimproved, they looked forward to a scene of hard and continuous labor before it would 
bring much return.  They, however, determined to make the best of affairs, and with characteristic energy began the 
cultivation of the land, but about this time, to add to their discouragements, Mr. Scott was drafted into the army.  
He felt that he was more needed at home with his family, and so he paid a bounty of $300, which he could illy spare 
at that time.  It is said that the darkest hour is just before the dawn, so it proved with Mr. Scott.  It was not 
long before prosperity began to smile on him, and from that time forward he has been doing a good business.  He has 
not only paid off all indebtedness, but by industry, economy and perseverance has acquired a comfortable competency 
and made for himself and family a good home.  The little log cabin has long since been replaced by a comfortable 
residence, in which he and his wife expect to spend the remainder of their days.  Both are members of the Methodist 
Church and are faithful, Christian people who are held in high regard by all.  In political sentiment he is a 
Republican.
 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Scott has been blessed with a family of nine children:  William, who died in his tenth 
year; Mary J.; Agnes, who died at the age of two years; Alice A.; Lucy A., wife of John H. Clark; Helen, Shadrack, 
George; and Louisa, who died at the age of eight months.







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