Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-02-17

Col. Donald D. Scott, pioneer rail
road builder and veteran Of the Civil
war, answered the last roll call at his
late residence, 400 North Church
street Thursday evening. He had been in
failing health for a year past and
required constant attention Of late.
His death although not unexpected
will be learned with regret by all who
knew him. Although an invalid for
several years, he bore his sufferings
with christian fortitude and when the
end came was ready to go to his re-
ward.
Col. Scott was born June 5, 1924,
in Cornwall, Stormant county, Ontar-
10, Canada, where he received his
early education and at the age of Il
came to the United States, engaging
in railroad work in the state Of New
York. Later he engaged iii railroad
contract work in Ohio and came to
Watertown.
In those early pioneer days Mr.. Scott
was one of the most widely known
railroad contractors in the northwest
and assisted in many railroad enter
prises. Or October Is, 1861 he re-
ceived a commission from Governor
Randall to raise recruits for the
northern army and on March 18, 1862
he was commissioned captain of Co.
d, recruited partly in Watertown
which was assigned to the 18th Wis
consin, afterward a part Of the Irish
to st. Louis and took part in many of
the famous battles of the Civil war 1t
was at Pittsburg Landing, one day
after the battle was fought aud par
ticipated in all the hardships before
Corinth and performed provost duty
when the city was captured. The
regiment was in the entertainments
before Vicksburg for eighty days and
was the first one to enter the city af
ter the siege was ended, on July 4. On
July 20, 1868, Mr. Scott was commits
stoned major and on September "a
1864 he was commissioned lieutenant
colonel, although he was virtually in
that position sometime previously. He
was mustered out of service July IA,
1866, at Louisville, Kentucky. After
the war he again engaged N railroad
work in New York, Ohio and Wiscon
sin.
In 1865 he was married to Catherine
McGilis of Quebec, Canada, but she
lived but eight months. In 1866 he
was married to Emma Stewart Leon
ard Of this city, who died in 1901. No
children were born to them.
Mr.. Scott was man Of fine charac
ter and was held in high esteem by
all who knew him. He was a good
neighbor and true friend and despite
the many reverses he met with in
business always had a cheerful dispo-
sition. He was greatly admired by
the younger people and in face he
felt more at home in company with
young men that with those near his
own age and his company was always
gladly welcomed. When in the right
mood he delighted in relating renmis-
cences of the late war, but generally
left himself out of the story. His
memory was excellent up to the time
of his death and he could relate hap
penings of his boyhood days with
vividness that was striking.
Col. Scott was a democrat in poll
tics and while never aspiring to any
office of note, has been honored by the
voters Of the Fifth ward on many oc
casions, being elected alderman and
justice of the peace at various times
He was prominent candidate for post
master under the first Cleveland ad-
ministration when the late H. S. How
ell received the appointment. During
the Civil war on one Of his visits to
Watertown he was presented with a
handsome sword, suitably inscribed,
which ne always priced highly as a
gift from his many Watertown
friends.
Col. Scott served several terms as
deputy sheriff of Dodge county. He
was also many times elected to other
positions, all of which he filled accept
ably. He never sought office, but never
shirked any responsibility when once
he accepted a position of trust.
The funeral will take place Monday
at $50 a. m. to ST. Bernard's
Catholic church and it will be under
the auspices Of O. D. Pease Post No.
"a, G. A. R., of which he was a mem
Der and he will be buried with mill
tary honors, with the flag he loved
so well in life waving a last farewell.
He has answered the last roll call and
is now enlisted under the banner of
a mightier Commander than any of
earth.