Portrait and biographical album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois
Containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and 
representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies 
of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States. 
Chicago; Chapman Bros.; 1889
Author Unknown at this time

Pages 448 - 450 of 1010 pages

D. WILMOT SCOTT.  This name will long be remembered among the better elements of 
Jo Daviess County as that of a man who pursued a creditable career among is 
fellow-citizens, and , after rounding up sixty years of life, departed hence on 
the 28th of August, 1888.  His home was in Galena, among whose people he had 
lived for a period of about forty years, and fully identified himself with the 
interests calculated to advance his community, morally, socially, and 
financially.  He was enterprising and industrious, and, while not accumulating 
a fortune, he still made a good home for his family and left them in 
comfortable circumstances at his death.

   It may be well to first glance at the parental history of our subject as a 
matter of interest almost as important as his own.  His father, David SCOTT, a 
native of New York State, was for some years during his early manhood 
associated with David WILMOT in the building of the Erie canal, and in other 
prominent public undertakings.  His death occurred in Washington, Ind., where 
he had been on business and been suddenly taken ill.  His widow, Mrs. Sally 
SCOTT, died some years later at Walworth, Walworth Co., Wis.

   To the parents of our subject there were born eight children; D. Wilmont 
being the third son and sixth child.  The paternal grandfather, Jesse SCOTT, 
spent his entire life in his native State of New York.  To him and his wife, 
Mary, there were born ten children; David being the sixth.  the children of 
Jesse and Mary, as well as those of their son David, were, without exception, 
possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, grew up to a noble manhood and 
womanhood, and comprised a part of the better elements of the society where 
they lived.

   The subject of this sketch pursued his early studies in Norwich Academy, 
and afterward entered the office of a weekly newspaper, where he served an 
apprenticeship at the printer's trade, becoming an expert at the business.  
During the winter of 1848-49 he was engaged as a teacher in his native 
county.  After reaching his majority he decided to seek his fortune in the 
Great West, and, as early as 1850, we we find him located near Geneva, Lake 
Co., Wis., where he sojourned about two years.  Next he removed to Janesville, 
and in 1851, in that new town established the Janesville Free Press.  He left 
there, however, the year following, came to Galena, and soon afterward, in 
partnership with Dr. RAY, commenced the publication of the Evening 
Jeffersonian, a live Democratic sheet, of which he subsequently became sole 
proprietor.

   In the meantime Mr. SCOTT established a printer's warehouse, and furnished 
the outfit for the first newspapers ever published at La Crosse, Wis., and St. 
Paul, Minn.  His next enterprise was the establishment of the Daily 
Advertiser, and for some time thereafter he was engaged in the newspaper work.  
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he found means to signalize his patriotism 
by acting as recruiting officer, but his labors in this direction were cut 
short soon afterward by a stroke of paralysis.  He then returned to his native 
State for medical treatment, and in 1865 came back to Galena, where he 
sojourned until his decease.

   In 1865 Mr. SCOTT established himself in the real estate and broker's 
business at Galena, at the same time opening a job printing office.  He soon 
afterward established the Industrial Press, of which he retained the active 
management until 1887---this being his last newspaper enterprise.  In 1885 he 
was appointed Postmaster of Galena, and assumed charge of the office in December 
of that year.  He was popular in this position, as in all the places which he 
occupied, and the duties of which he performed in that conscientious manner 
which was one of his leading characteristics.  He devoted his entire time to 
the duties of his office, and it was acknowledged by all that he was a man 
well qualified for the position, winning friends even among his political 
opponents.

   Mr. SCOTT was an ardent lover of nature, and devoted much time to the study 
and advancement of horticulture, to which he gave much attention, especially 
during the last years of his live.  He was not only a practical nurseryman, but 
contributed many articles to the press upon this subject.  He was recognized 
as good authority upon all matters in connection to therewith.  He officiated 
as Secretary of the American Horticulture Association from the time of its 
organization until his death---a period of twenty-six years.  he was a man of 
untiring energy, always projecting some new scheme that would be of practical 
benefit to someone.  Nevertheless, he was modest and unassuming, backward 
about taking upon himself further responsibilities which would have been 
gladly assigned him.  he was quick to make friends; and, like all men of 
strong character and decided views, made enemies also.

   The first wife of D. Wilmot SCOTT was Miss Mary, the accomplished daughter 
of the celebrated physician, Dr. THOMPSON, of Norwich, N. Y. This lady became 
the mother of one child, a son, James W. SCOTT, who is now one of the 
proprietors of the Chicago Herald, and a leading stock-holder of the United 
Press Telegraph Association, and also a member of its Official Board.  He is 
a "chip of the old block"---the natural outgrowth of early training and 
education, as the son of parents possessing more than ordinary intelligence.  
In due time, after the death of his first wife, Mr. SCOTT contracted a second 
marriage with Miss Anna Eliza SAXE, a lady who was born in New York State, and 
was the daughter of an excellent family; her father being John P. SAXE, of 
Bainbridge.  Mrs. Ann Eliza SCOTT was born in 1829, and died in Galena in the 
forty-eighth year of her age.  She had been a good wife, a helpful and loving 
mother, possessing all the womanly virtues.  Her children are:  Clara the wife of 
Harvey L. BLACK, of Alton, Ill.; Chenango, and Mary.

   The third marriage of Mr. SCOTT, with Mrs. Kitty L. (PURKEY) JAMES, was 
celebrated in Galena, June 10, 1880.  This lady was born in Dayton, Ohio, and 
was the daughter of John and Mary (CHARLES) PURKEY.  The father was for many 
years a ship-builder and contractor, and came to Galena in 1854, where he 
lived for some years.  The mother is still living, making her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. SCOTT; she is now in the sixty-fourth year of her age.  Mrs. 
Kittie L. SCOTT was reared partly in Ohio, having come to Galena with her 
parents in her girlhood days.  She pursued her studies in the High School of 
this city, was graduated later from the Chicago Commercial School, and later 
for a number of years followed teaching in New York State.  She received 
careful training from an excellent mother, and this, united with fine mental 
abilities, has contributed to make of her lady of more than ordinary 
intelligence.  She possesses great natural tact and executive ability; and 
since the death of her husband has managed the affairs of the post-office at 
Galena with rare good judgment.  She devotes her entire time to the service, 
and has instituted many improvements in its conduct.  The clerks in her employ 
are well trained and the whole business connected with the office moves on in 
the most praiseworthy and methodical manner.

   Of the last marriage of Mr. SCOTT were born two bright children---Harry F. 
and Rollo C., who are now (March, 1889,) seven and four years old 
respectively.  The first husband of Mrs. SCOTT was James Edward JAMES, who was 
born in the city of Liverpool, England, Sept. 7, 1842, where he was reared and 
partly educated.  His father was a seafaring man, and circumnavigated the 
globe twice with his son, James Edward.  On his last voyage, while off the 
Island of St. Helena, he sickened and died, and his remains were laid to rest 
not very far from the spot where had languished the exile, Napoleon 
Bonaparte.  His name also was James B.  He was cut down in the prime of life.  
His widow later came to America, accompanied by her two children---James 
Edward and a daughter, the latter, now Mrs. D. H. LAMBERSON, of South 
Evanston, Ill.  The mother spent her last days at Hazel Green, Wis.; dying in 
the fall of 1854.

   Mr. JAMES, after the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in Company A, 96th 
Illinois Infantry; the regiment being under the command of Col. George HICHK, 
now of the Sandwich Islands.  The company was under the command of Gen. J. C. 
SMITH, the ex-Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois.  The 96th Regiment performed a 
prominent part in the subjugation of the enemies of the Government, and bore up 
bravely through many a hard and bloody struggle.  Through all these Mr. JAMES 
distinguished himself as a man true to the interests of his adopted country.  
He was for some time Sergeant of the Commissary Department, and 
participated in many of the engagements of his regiment, fortunately escaping 
unharmed by rebel shot or bayonet.  After the close of the war he established 
himself as a photographer at Galena; where he died, at the age of thirty-five 
years, on the 10th of May 1878.  He left his widow with a family of small 
children, but, with characteristic energy, she assumed the management of his 
gallery, and conducted the business until her marriage with Mr. SCOTT.  Of her 
union with Mr. JAMES there had been born four children, one of whom, a 
daughter, Josie, died at the age of seventeen months.  The eldest living 
child, Mazie is an accomplished young lady, and the efficient assistant of her 
mother in the post-office.  Edward W. and Warren W. are pursuing their studies 
in the city schools.  During the Civil War, until 1865, our subject was the 
editor and proprietor of the Galena Gazette, then known as the Galena 
Advertiser.

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