BIOGRAPHY - WINFIELD SCOTT
Winfield Scott, who is now living retired in a comfortable and attractive residence in Kempton, was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Ford county. He was born in Somerset township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1849, of the marriage of John and Lydia Scott, both of whom were also natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, in which state they also passed away. Eight children were born of this union, four of whom still survive: Franklin P., who makes his home in Pennsylvania; William J., of Marietta, Ohio; John A., who resides in Piper City; and Winfield, of this review.
Winfield Scott was educated in the common schools and remained in the state of his nativity until 1874, when he located in Mona township, Ford county, being employed at farm labor by the month for two years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm, which he successfully operated for five years, and in 1881 returned to Pennsylvania, remaining in that state until 1887. In that year he returned to Illinois, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Mona township, where he carried on his agricultural interests diligently and energetically until 1903, when the competence he had acquired through his well directed labor and capable business management enabled him to put aside the active work of the farm and he is now living retired in a comfortable residence which he owns in Kempton. He is renting his land in Mona township.
On the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Wilson, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whose parents are both now deceased. She was one of a family of four children, and by her marriage to Mr. Scott she became the mother of one child who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Scott is a democrat and has served for twelve years as supervisor. There were only two democrats on the board during this period but he was elected chairman, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the trust reposed in him by his fellow members of the board. He has also served as school director for nine years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart and helpful champion. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are esteemed in their home community as people of genuine personal worth, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 805-806.
