Scott Businesses in Richmond, Indiana

Family history is that Wm. C. Scott and his wife's cousin, Daniel B. Crawford were in business together in Richmond, owning a general store called the Bee Hive on the north side of Main Street between Marion and old Pearl. This is about the same location as the listing for 1859, however Daniel B. Crawford was not listed as a partner, nor was The Bee Hive mentioned. "The History of Wayne County," by Andrew Young, states that Daniel B. Crawford, with Wm. C. Scott, commenced the dry goods trade in 1850, at "old No. 8," now 190 Main street, and continued in the business about nine years. In 1864, he resumed business, which he still continues at 242 Main street. (pg. 446)

From the business directories, it is not clear how long Wm. C. Scott and Daniel Crawford remained partners. Wm. C. Scott had sold his portion of the business by 1863, and went into the furniture business with Anton Egli. Family history is also that there were extensive lawsuits with his partner after the fire at the furniture factory. As a result, the Scott's were forced to change their "mode of living", so William C. Scott eventually sold his house and remaining store and moved the family to Nebraska. However, he apparently remained in the furniture business in Richmond for a few years after the fire, moving to Nebraska in 1869 - 1870. The family is listed in Richmond in the 1870 census, but also had bought land in Nebraska in 1869.

The information below is from the Richmond City Directories for the years mentioned and articles in various Richmond newspapers.

Locate business and residences on 1876 map of Richmond.

1857: Clem Scott is listed as a merchant on North Fifth St. Jesse H. Scott is listed as a clerk on North Fifth St. Most likely this is Jesse E. Scott, W. C. Scott's brother, since they were in business together in 1860 and 1863. Daniel B. Crawford is listed as a merchant, on Marion St., above Fifth. Anton Egli is listed as a cabinet maker / manufacturer & dealer in furniture, on the corner of Marion & Eighth Streets.

1859: SCOTT WILLIAM C, dry goods, boots and shoes &c, ns Main W of Marion, res ws 5th bt Mulberry and E Broadway. Jesse E. Scott and John Y. (G.?) Crawford are listed as salesman. Maria Crawford Scott's cousin, Daniel B. Crawford, was listed as res ns Main bet 5th and 6th, and John Crawford was boarding with him.

Richmond Palladium, November 20, 1860; Page 3, Col. 1

Reader look at that new sign at No. 8 - drofwarC & ttocS, - that's the way it reads backwards, - "drop" in and examine their Goods and prices. While we think of it, we will say that among the fancy and substantial things, worth having as well as seeing, there is a beautiful miniature bust of Power's celebrated "Greek Slave!" This, however, is not to be taken as a sign that our friends Scott & Crawford will bust, although they sell their Goods cheap enough for that, if they hadn't bought 'em so as to afford them at such low rates! -- fact!

1860 - 1861: W.C. Scott & Bro. - dry goods &c., 46 Main Street, Richmond. Jesse E. Scott and Philander A. Scott are also mentioned as part of the business. W.C. Scott was living at 85 N. Fifth Street, Richmond. Daniel B. Crawford sold dry goods &c. at 22 Main and resided at 114 Main. John G. Crawford was listed as "with" D.B. Crawford.

1863: Scott, Egli & Co. - Manufacturers and Dealers in Furniture, Ft. Wayne Ave. near depot; Factory one-half Mile north-east of City. Jesse E. Scott, Anton Egli, Charles Leive & Benjamin Fulghum are mentioned as part of the business. Wm. C. Scott is listed as being in the furniture business, residing on 5th Street between Mulberry and Spring, but his connection to Scott, Egli & Co. is not clear.

1865: Scott, Egli & Co. - Furniture Manufactory north bank east fork of Whitewater, Hillsboro pike; warehouse on Ft. Wayne Ave. near depot. W. Clem Scott, Anthon Egli, Benjamin Fulgham, John E. Hugou and Henry Wefel are mentioned as part of the business. W. Clem Scott was residing on Fifth Street between Mulberry and Broadway in Richmond.

Richmond Palladium, February 1, 1866; Page 3, Col. 2

Fires. - On Sunday afternoon, a fire was discovered in the drying house belonging to Scott, Egli & Co., situated on East Fork, north of town. By the timely efforts of the fire department, the flames were prevented from extending to other parts of the establishment. The drying-house, however, was entirely burned out.

1868: Scott W.C. & Co. - Furniture and chair manufacturers, wholesale and retail dealers, e S Ft. Wayne Av 9 s cor Fifth, factory Hillsborough Pike n of city. William C. Scott and John M. Washburn were listed as part of the business. William C. Scott resided at Ft. Wayne Ave. s w cor Cliff. William C. Scott Jr. was a bookkeeper for his father, and was living with his father. Anton Egli was listed separately as a furniture manufacturer and dealer on Main a w cor Eighth. D.B. Crawford owned a dry goods and carpet store at 46 Main, and resided at 4 N Seventh. W. C. Scott's brother, Andrew F. Scott, a partner in Forkner, Scott & Elmer, was residing at the sw corner of Seventh and Mulberry. His son, Augustus C. Scott was listed as a farmer, living with his father.

Richmond Telegram, Saturday, August 11, 1866; Page 8, Col. 3

ONE STORY HIGHER - W.C. SCOTT & Co., are raising their Store to make room for their rapidly increasing business, which will enable them to display one of the most complete Stocks of Furniture to be found in the State, all of which they manufacture, and warrant to give satisfaction.

Richmond Telegram, Saturday, April 13, 1867; Page 5, Col. 4

SCOTT & CO's FURNITURE ESTABLISHMENT - On Thursday last we spent some time in making a visit to the Furniture establishment of Messrs. W.C. SCOTT & Co., whose manufactory is situated just North of the city and their Ware-rooms on Fort Wayne Avenue and Fifth street, near the Depot. Sixty men are employed in the factory, and an amount of work is turned out by far exceeding any estimate we had formed before visiting the establishment. The very best mechanics are employed in the various departments, and the finest class of goods are produced known to the trade.

The room occupied on the three floors of the building is equal to twenty-five thousand square feet, and all this space is crowded to its utmost capacity with everything in the line of furniture, from the finest Sofas and Ottomans down to the ordinary chair, such as most native Hoosiers were introduced in early life. Everything in the establishment is manufactured by the firm, and as their factory is supplied with every kind of the latest improved labor-saving machinery, these goods are of the very best quality, and are sold at the same prices as are charged by similar establishments in Cincinnati. The closest attention is given to the selection of the very best material and the articles turned out are consequently of a superior grade in the line of durability. As a result of this the furniture made in this establishment finds a market in all the leading towns and cities of the West, such as Logansport, Lafayette, Terre Haute, Anderson, Kokomo, Peru, and even as far off as Springfield, Illinois.

The great quantity of goods kept in stock will surprise any one who will take the trouble to visit the store. In the single item of chairs more than A THOUSAND DOZEN were made and sold during the past year. The business in other departments is correspondingly extensive. Among other things worthy of special notice we were shown some of the most elegant spring mattresses, mounted on splended bedsteads, worthy a place in a King's Palace. Every style of work, walnut, chery, rose-wood, ash, oak and maple are presented, and no taste can be so fastidious that it will not be satisfied with the infinite variety and extent of goods on exhibition.