The name of Andrew J. Scott is becoming well known among
the contractors of Springfield, although he is a comparatively new comer in this
field, a number of his competitors have been in the business here from a score
to two score of years, but our subject's skill, advanced ideas along the
building line, his industry, honesty and perseverance is resulting in a
lucrative business. For over twenty years he was foreman of one of our largest
planing mills. A great deal of his early life was spent in the South of which he
is a native, but has resided in Springfield for over a quarter of a century and
is well known to the building tradesmen here. Although a Southerner, he has a
commendable record as a soldier for the Union, and his life of nearly three
score and ten has been a varied and interesting one.
Mr. Scott was born in Tishomingo county, Mississippi, March 17, 1845. He is a
son of Robert and Elizabeth (Searcey) Scott, and is one of a family of seven
children, six sons and one daughter, namely: William died when twenty-one years
of age; John L. died Christmas night, 1858, when eighteen years of age; Aaron
W., died January 15, 1858, at the age of fifteen years. Andrew J., of this
review; Jane Elizabeth married William Miles, and she died when twenty years of
age, leaving one child, Victoria; Frank P., who married Mrs. Josie Beal, lives
in Springfield, Missouri; Rufus, who was a planter at Rienza, Mississippi, died
in 1902, at the age of forty-two years. The father of our subject was born in
Virginia, from which state he removed to Tennessee when young and there married
Elizabeth Searcey, who was a native of Columbia, Tennessee. Later they
established their home in Mississippi and reared their family there. The death
of Robert Scott occurred in 1858, when our subject was thirteen years old. His
widow survived until 1871. They were both buried on the old homestead, this
custom being employed much in the South during the past generations up to a few
years ago.
Andrew J. Scott grew to manhood on the home plantation and there worked when
a boy, and received his education in the common schools. As stated above his
sympathies were with the Federal government and in order to escape conscription
in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the war between the states, he went
to Alabama, and although was but seventeen years of age he raised the First
Alabama Cavalry, which regiment was soon placed in active service. Mr. Scott
enlisted June 11, 1863, and was discharged July 27, 1864, at Rome, Georgia. He
had gone through Georgia with Sherman in his memorable campaign and took part in
all the engagements of the same. After his discharge from the Alabama cavalry
regiment he went to Nashville, Illinois, and on February 11, 1865, enlisted in
the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served
until September 25, 1865.
After the war Mr. Scott returned to Mississippi, and operated a flat-boat on
the Mississippi river to New Orleans for three years, then went a second time to
Nashville, Illinois, where he engaged in the contracting and building business
for ten years, then engaged in the grocery business eight years. He came to
Springfield, Missouri, in 1888, and for a period of twenty-two years was foreman
of the Springfield Planing Mill and Lumber Company, his long retention in this
important position would indicate that he gave the firm eminent satisfaction in
every respect. During the past four years he has been in the contracting
business and has been very successful.
Mr. Scott was married on May 19, 1880, to Laura Burns, a daughter of John C.
Burns and wife of Nashville, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood and received
her education in the common schools. At the time of their marriage Mr. Burns was
justice of the peace at Nashville, which position he held for a period of
thirty-four years continuously, discharging the duties of the same most ably and
was one of the influential men of that place. His family consisted of two sons
and two daughters.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, namely: Arthur B., born
August 25, 1886, is chief clerk to the superintendent of the Oregon Short Line
Railroad, married Helen Madden, and they have one child, Arthur; they live in
Pocatello, Idaho. John T., second child of our subject, born September 1, 1888,
is with the Whaples-Olvey Millinery Company of Springfield.
Politically, Mr. Scott is a Republican. He belongs to the local post of the
Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church,
and has been a member of the official board for a period of twenty-three years
and is one of the pillars of this church.
Mr. Scott owns the apartment house where he resides at 430 Kimbrough street,
also a rental here in the city.
From http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/history/paspres/scotta.html
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.