Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-18
ZION. \. B. SCOTT
Appointed Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue, Yesterday.
a High Honor Well Bestowed
Upon Prominent West Virginian
and Citizen of Wheeling-A Brief
Sketch of the Life Of the New
Omcial-An Honorable Career.

Yesterday, as is told in the telegraphic
columns of the Register, the President
sent to the Senate the name Of Nathan
B. Scott, of West Virginia, to be Com
missioner of Internal Revenue.
The appointment comes at just about
the time it was looked for by Mr.. Scott
and his intimate friends, although
delayed for week or so by
the death of the mother Of the Presi-
dent. For months there has been per-
sistent rumors in circulation that the
appointment would not go to a West
Virginian, but these reports We're not
we'll founded, and it has been positively
known for six months that the name
would be sent in at the proper time.
Personally, in discussing the matter,
Mr.. Scott has always been entirely con-
fident of the result, and before his late
trip to Europe correctly outlined the
situation in a conversation with repOr-
ter for the Register. The fact is, Mr..
Scott says he might have been Treas
urer Of the United States, had he cared
to make the point. The place was ten
dered him, but he preferred the Com
misSionership of Internal Revenue, in
order that the Office might be kept in
this State, and he was accordingly set
down for that office.
Nathan B. Scott is a native Of Guern-
sey county, O., where he was born De-
cember Is, 1913. He thus comes under
the rule that other men may deserve
Offices, but Ohio men, if at all in sight,
manage to get them. His parents were
poor, and from the age of nine years
Mr.. Scott was forced to work and to
look after his own interests. His early
education was literally obtained by the
candle and pine-knot" process, most Of
his studies having been prosecuted at
night, after the completion CT his work.
His first regular occupation was as a
clerk in a country store, at the salary
Of $25 per year and found" In 1859,
when sixteen years old, he came to this
city and proceeded by steamboat to
LeavenwOrth, Kan. where he secured
employment as the driver of an OK team,
and thus arrived on the site of Denver
May s, 1859. He located a lot there, but
relinquished his claim rather than pay
the fee of two dollars and a half. 1t is
related as a matter of history that this
lot has since sold for $40 600. Mr.. Scott
returned East in year or two, and ap-
prenticed himself as a tanner, remain
ing at this occupation until 1861, when
he enlisted in the Union army. His faith
err objected, however, and as the young
volunteer was not OF age, ne was obig-
ed to return home. In the fall of 1862,
however, he enlisted again as volun-
teer in the defense of Cincinnati, then
threatened by Kirby Smith. After his
discharge from this service Mr.. Scott en-
listed for the third time in the Eighty
eighth Ohio Infantry, and served until
July, 1865. He removed to Belaire and
at once resumed his neglected studies,
while engaging in business, and in 1870
began work at the glass business, with
the intent to thoroughly master it. He
remained in Bellaire until 1875. when
he came to this city and entered the
Central Company. His knowledge of
the glass business soon impressed the
stockholders and he was made president,
and built up an immense and successful
business.
Mr.. Scott has filled many positions,
from the time he was mayor of Quaker
City, O., to his present office of Com
missioner of Internal Revenue. In 1880
he was chosen a member Of Council of
this city, and was made President of
the Second Branch; in 1882 he was
elected to the State Senate and was re-
elected in 1886. For eight years he has
been member Of the National Repub-
lican Executive Committee, and a dele
gate to the conventions of that party,
State and naional, on numerous occa-
slons. He is president of the Dollar
Savings Bank, is interested in many
business enterprises. here and in the
West, and is a geniable, companionable
and cultivated gentleman. Citizens of
all parties will rejoice at his latest sue
cess. and he is entitled to the congrat-
ulations he received yesterday.
,hris L.