Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-12-26
ANOTHER PIONEER GONE.
One Of Gratiot's Early Settlers
Dies at his Home in Alma.

Charles Nj. Scott, one Cf Alma's early
pioneers, passed away peacefully at his
home on Water Street, FIioay after.
noon, Dec. 10. 1902. In recent years he
had been confined to the house, aud for
many months past his life had been one
OF constant relentless pain yet the low
ing wife who ministe so faithfully 10
him never heard a word of in patience
or complaint against the lot Of suffering
to which God, in His good Providence,
had assigned him.
The funeral was held from the resi-.
dence on Monday, and interment made
in Riverside cemetery.
Mr.. SCott's ancestors came fIom Scot.
land TO Connecticut in the early history
Of this country during the religious per.
secutions O. the Pestoration Period.
Captain David Scott. MIR. Scott's graz d.
father, emigrated from the Come cticut
Washtenaw county Mich th,nce he
pioneered northward into the wilds OF
Central Michigan " here no settleIs had
ever been. The primitive state OF things
is indicated by the fact that often an
advance of five miles was hard days
work for the team. The land that
Captain Scott boug ht OF the Roveinm, mt
led him along the Looking Glass River
Trail" into the region Of the Saginaw
tribe of the Chippewas, who Inhabited
the valley of the Shiawassee river, ALTO
the country along the Looking Glass
and the Maple rivers.
A writer for the Clinton Co. Historical
Society says: The whole of Clinton
county was at first embraced in one
township known as Dewitt and the
first township meeting was held at the
home Of Capt. SCOTT. who came here
from Ann Arbor in 1888 and located on
Looking Glass river. he ow ned all the
territory of the village of Dewitt; his
possessions there including thirty so acre
lots or 2, 400 acres He built a public
house, long log cabin-which was a
"laudmark' in the early years, and was
widely known as "Scott's." Later he
built on Its site the large hotel known
as the "ClintCn House." For the first
six months after his arrival " lille he was
getting settled ard building bis log
cabin, lSx24, Capt Scott lived in the
wigwsm Of an Indian chef. The first
comfy officers were elected in 1889 and
the circuit court for Clinton county was
held at DEWITT, which was the unity
seat. The first term Of county court
was held at Captain Scott's home, Oct
2, 1S40."
In these days there we're no settle.
ments nearer Capt SCOTS than Ann
Arbor and Pontiac, aud thither the
family had to go for all groceries. medi.
cines, blacksmithing and mill feed-a
trip OF a week.
AS Capt. Scott was for many years
postmaster all the government mail car.
riers and those carrying specie on the
Dewitt and Colony Road" between
Detroit and Ionia, stopped at "Scott's,"
In the earlier years, to rest their saddle
ponies later, to change the stage coach
teams.
The visitors who could be always
counted upon were the Indian bucks,
several of whom for many years slept,
rolled mp in their blankets, in front of
the large fire place of the Scott's. often
arising stealthily in the night to 90 out
doors and quench their thirst from
secreted bottles of white mans "fire.
water" Back logs for these fire. places
were hauled in by OK teams.
Capt. Scott left three sons-Sylvester,
David and Charles, all farmers. Sylves
ter, whe died at 30 years Of age, from
accident left a wife and three small boys,
George, CHARLES M, and Sylvester
These two brothers who survive Charles
NJ, are prosperous farmers Of Clinton
county, living upon sections Of the old
estate, having in their possessions the
government deeds written on paroh.