The Russellville Democrat., 1883-09-06
HISTORICAL.

|
 We reproduce in to-day's issue, as a matter of history taken from the Ste. Genevieve Mo. Plaindealer, of the l4th of June, q notice of the death of the Hon. John Scott, very distinguished lawyer and Member Of Congress, who figured quite promi- nently in the early history and set clement Of Missouri. He was an uncle of our fellow. townsman, Hon. Jno. R. Homer Scott, and the broth CT of the late Judge Andrew Scott, who was appointed Ill 1919 by Pres ident Monroe as one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the Territo- ry of Arkansas, and who lived and died ard IS now buried in our ceme- tery at Russellvillc, Pope county, Arkansas
 Died in this city on Sunday morn ing, tine ; instant, at hall past five o'clock, Hon. John Scout, in the eightieth year Of his age, universally respected and esteemed hy all who knew him.
 MT. Scott was born on the 18th of May, 17S2, in Hanover county, Nir ginia. At an early age his parents moved to UnioEtown, Pennsylvania, where his father earned on the bus mess of weaver. Young Scott, set in with his father and learned that trade, meantime reading and endeav- bring to improve hls mind, by all the limited means in his power. In the early part of the year 1902, hls par ents removed to Vincennes, Indiana, where he assisted his father at his trade during the summer months, and taught school during the winter. Gen. Harrison, then Governor of the North Western territory, saw in MT. Scott marked ability and invited him into his office, to read law His close reading and strict attention, very soon enabled him to obtain license to practice law, from the hand oi tue Governor. Having re- ceived his license, he sought new location to commence the practice. He crossed the Mississippi at Ste. Geneyieve on the 9th of May 1905, having rode from Vincennes 10 this place on a borrowed horse, with but l limited means to commence in the world. Besring letter from Gov ernol Harrison to John Hays of Cape GirarGeau county, he visited that gentleman and remained at his house during that summer, attend ing the court Of Common Pleas. at the now city of Cape Girardean. He then came back to this place. and began most successful practice, embracing in the circuit, St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Gehevieve, Cape Ci- rardeau and New Madrid, never fail
 ing to be present at every court, unLil he was elected to Congress in 1Sl8. High waters never stopped him from being present at the regu- !
 raries in the practice of the law, whilst this state was yet called Up
 per Louisiana, were Hampstead, Easton, Lucas, Benton, Thomas, Pope, Built, Carr, Wash, Pettibone and McGirk. Whilst on his circuit he become acquainted with Miss Catharine E. Cobb, at the house of Dr. Ellis of Cape Girardeau, who on the 18th of December lSlo, became his wife, and shortly afterwards he moved into the house where he has lived ever ince.
 He wofkcd himself into q most | lucrative practice, NithGut aapira | lions Tor tilice until the spring oi lSl6. when he was induced to become candidate for Congress, against | Col. Ru.us kaston nf St. Charles. 1 The contest was marked ny the spir i it with whic.. it was conducted. Owing to some in'ormalily in the returns made at Portage Des Sioux in St. Charles county, the election was contested both claimin. seats Congress declared that the contest should be decided hy the people, and sent them back for another trial. lu the second race Mir. Scott proved successful. He then served the ter
 ritory until she became state, snd
 with his own hand wrote the cpa
 bling act. He then served the state as representative, until tho 4th of
 March, 1929.
 { Mir. Scott being tho first represen- tative of the state, introduced and
 secured the passage Of many very benetici,l acts for the state. By his
 extra efforts was secured tue pas
 snge of the act providing that five
 per cent of the proceeds oi the sale
 ot all the public lands in Missouri.
 -houIl he used as i road and canal fund, three per cent of which should