Short Biography of Andrew F. Scott

Andrew F. Scott was born in Rockbridge County, Va. , December 28, 1811; came to Wayne county in 1834; taught school one term three miles north of Richmond, and in the fall of that year engaged as clerk for Daniel Reid in his store and the post office in Richmond, and continued there five years, In 1839, he went to Fort Wayne, and served as clerk one year under Mr. Reid, who was then register of the United Stated land office at that place, and one year under James W. Borden, receiver. In 1841, he returned to Richmond, and served as deputy under Sheriff Wm. Baker one year, and next as clerk in the store of Jesse Meek about 3 years. He then became interested in the business of a steamboat company on the Ohio river, and served as its clerk for two years. In 1847, he returned to Richmond, and carried on the mercantile business four years. In 1851, he was elected clerk of Wayne County, and re-elected in 1855, in which office he served eight years, residing during his clerkship at Centerville. In 1860, he again removed to Richmond, and was engaged in farming about 5 years, and a part of that time also in merchandising and building, having in 1862, erected the brick block on the north-west corner of Main & Fifth Streets. In July, 1865, he was made clerk of the Richmond Fire Insurance Company, and served as such during its existence of about a year and a half. In 1867, he associated with James Forkner and C.N. Elmer, [firm, Forkner, Scott & Elmer] in the wholesale grocery trade, in Richmond, in which he has continued till the present time. In 1839 he was married to Martha McGlathery. They had four children: Letitia A., who married Joseph McNutt, and died in 1863; John, who died in infancy; Augustus C., who resides at home, and Mary E., wife of John M. Tennis, agent for the Erie Railway Company, residing at Memphis, Tennessee.

* 1870: Average annual sales for Forkner, Scott & Elmer were about $300,000

* Andrew F. Scott was also a director of the First National Bank of Richmond, and was president of the bank in 1884

Source: "History of Wayne county, Indiana, from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches" ³⁸

Andrew F. Scott. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of the state lies not in the machinery of government, or even in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. To this class belonged Andrew F. Scott of Richmond, a man prominent in the business, social and church circles of the city. His influence for good was widely felt, and his example was indeed worthy of emulation. He was at all times actuated by the highest motives and most lofty principles; he lived for the benefit of others, and his memory remains as an unalloyed benediction to all that knew him. The history of Richmond would be incomplete without the record of his life, so intimately was he connected with its commercial and benevolent institutions.

Andrew F. Scott was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on the 28th of December 1811, and made the best of the advantages afforded him for the acquirement of an education. In 1838 he left the Old Dominion in order to try his fortune upon the prairies of the Far West and took up his residence in the little village of Richmond, Indiana. He entered upon his vocation here as a schoolteacher, and later accepted the position of Clerk for Daniel Reid. In 1839 Mr. Reid was appointed Registrar of the Land Office at Ft. Wayne, and appointed Mr. Scott his Chief Deputy. In 1841 the latter was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Wayne County and returned from Ft. Wayne to Centerville in order to assume the duties of his new position. On the expiration of his term of service he went to Cincinnati and entered the employ of a steamboat company, with which he was connected until 1847, when he came to Richmond and embarked in merchandising. For four years he successfully carried on operations in that line, and then assumed the duties of County Clerk, to which office he was elected in 1851 for a term of four years. In 1855 he was again chosen for that position, being elected almost without opposition. When his second term expired he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and carpentering, which he followed for six years, when, in 1866, he became a partner in the grocery firm of Forkner, Scott & Elmer, which relation was maintained for a number of years. In 1872 he was instrumental in organizing the Second National Bank, was one of its leading stockholders, and at its formation was elected President, in which position he continued to serve to the time of his death. To his enterprise, sagacity, keen discrimination and thorough reliability, the success of the institution is Largely due, and to his efforts may be attributed its high standing in financial circles. He was a man of unquestioned integrity in all business transactions, was progressive in his methods and very energetic; and the success and prosperity he achieved was the deserved reward of honorable labor. He aided in organizing, and was a stockholder in the Richmond Natural Gas Company.

In 1839 Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Martha McGlathery, of Philadelphia. She was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1808. Her father was a wealthy market gardener near Philadelphia, who came to Richmond, Indiana, in 1837, and lived here until her marriage to Mr. Scott, July 11, 1839. She was a faithful helpmate until her death, January 8, 1888. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, but her home among the flowers and plants was her delight. In regard to her benevolent character we can empathetically say she never turned the needy from her door unsupplied. Her kindness of heart often carried her to the limit of her resources. For example, during the Civil War word was received that the soldiers were suffering for blankets to keep them warm; and Mrs. Scott contributed the last comfortable or quilt she had in the house.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Scott were John, Letitia, Augustus and Mary; but all are now deceased with the exception of Augustus. Letitia died February 22, 1863, at the age of twenty-two years. She was married in 1859 to Joseph McNutt, who died in 1877. They had two children. The elder, Albert Scott McNutt, is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and was stationed for some time in the West at Cheyenne, Fort Thomas and other points, with the rank of First Lieutenant. The younger son, Frank A., is a man of superior education and has traveled all over the world, having circumnavigated the globe. He served as Secretary of the Legation at Madrid and Consul at Constantinople. He recently married a Miss Van Cortland Ogden, an heiress of New York City, and now lives in a palatial home in Rome, Italy. Mary E. was the wife of John M. Tennis, and had one daughter, Martha, wife of Joseph Gibson, of Richmond, Indiana.

For many years Mr. Scott was one of the leading and zealous members of the United Presbyterian Church of Richmond, and served as elder for a long period. He was always found in his place at the church services and lived that practical religion which teaches charity, kindness, sympathy and benevolence. The poor and needy found in him a warm friend, yet his aid was always unostentatious, and was frequently bestowed when the recipient knew not who was the donor. In politics he was always a stanch Democrat, and for eight years served as a member of the City Council, taking an active part in the advocacy and adoption of all measures tending to prove of public benefit. He was an exemplary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Masonic order and of the local Humane Society. He passed away March 16, 1895, honored and respected by all that knew him. The banks of the city were closed during the hour of the funeral services, and throughout this section of Indiana was mourned the death of this honored pioneer, enterprising citizen, faithful friend, devoted husband and father and earnest Christian gentleman. At the meeting of the Humane Society, the following tribute to his memory was read by Mrs. F. M. Clark:

"The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than this loved and valued member of our society who has passed to the higher life. The stereotyped words customary on such occasions seem but mockery when we remember all the grand traits that went to make the character of this, one of nature's noblemen. In all the relations of life, — family, church and society, — he displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that innate refinement, that endeared him alike to man, woman and child. He early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others, and his integrity and fidelity were manifest in every act of life. Splendid monuments record the virtues of kings, history's pages chronicle the deeds of heroes, but the memory of our brother will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. The example of such a life is an inspiration to others, and his influence will be felt long after the marble has crumbled and history's pages are dust. We feel that in the death of Andrew F. Scott our society has sustained an irreparable loss, and we extend to his family our sincere sympathy in this their great bereavement."

Source: "Biographical History of Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne Counties, Indiana" ³⁷³⁶

Biography by His Grandson, Francis MacNutt

My grandfather was the first of the family to cross Mason and Dixon's line, and he directed his steps toward Indiana, because it was reputed a southern-sympathizing State. He was later followed by his step-mother and his half-brothers and sisters, besides other kinsmen; in short, the Scott family forsook their native Rockbridge where their popularity had waned to nothing, to seek a new home in Indiana. All these people retained in their new surroundings the habits, tastes and opinions in which they had been reared; none was more tenaciously Virginian than my grandfather.

My grandfather Scott was a man of such rare probity and high standards in all his relations with people about him, that he enjoyed the respect and won the regard of even those who execrated his political opinions. His manners were uniformly urbane and simple. Though he invited confidence, he repelled familiarity, and I think he was a man with whom nobody ever thought of taking a liberty. Under his apparent gentleness, there lay a strong will and tenacity of purpose that amazed any who inadvertently ran foul of his convictions and decisions. Noting the firm line of his mouth in repose and the keen look in his blue eyes, deep set under beetling brows, a close observer would have divined that Andrew Scott was not all sweetness. Never have I known anyone so indifferent to, so quietly defiant, of public opinion. Opposition and disapproval only fortified his determination, once his decision was made.

My grandfather I see in retrospect as a grave, kindly man, prone to silence in the family circle, between whom and myself there tacitly existed a secret understanding. We were confederates from my earliest years. I spent much of my time with him and he took me with him on his frequent journeys, so that, when still a mere child, I had travelled more than most children of doubly my age.

Source: "A Papal Chamberlain -- The Personal Chronicle of Francis Augustus MacNutt" ⁴⁹