Born: Carthage, Illinois, Dec. 25, 1853.
Died:
Grew up to his fifteenth year on a farm. Then began the classical course in Christian University, Canton, Missouri. Graduated with A.B. degree in 1871. Then taught three years in Carthage High School. Meanwhile, read law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in June, 1875. Began at once the practice of law. In October following, he was appointed master in chancery of the circuit court of Hancock County, which position he filled for ten years. Meanwhile, he was a busy lawyer. In June, 1885, he was elected one of the judges in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, comprising the counties of Adams, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Brown, Schuyler and Pike. Re-elected in 1891, thus serving on the circuit bench twelve years. He declined the third nomination.
In 1893, Judge Scofield was appointed by the Supreme Court of the State one of the judges of the Appellate Court for the Fourth District to fill an unexpired term of one year. At its close he was reappointed for three years, thus serving four years on the Appellate bench and until his service as circuit judge terminated. On the death of Judge Scott in 1909, Judge Scofield was urged to become a candidate for the nomination to the Supreme Court, but declined because of his disinclination to enter personally into a political contest. Since his retirement from the bench in 1897, his practice has extended throughout Illinois and into other States. The class of his cases has made him, in considerable measure, a lawyer's lawyer.
Mr. Scofield became a Christian at the age of twelve Coming to maturity, he found the church at Carthage financially weak; hence, he began to supply its pulpit. This led to his becoming its pastor, which place he filled for about twenty years. Such salary as was paid him was turned to the work of the church.
In every way Mr. Scofield is a man of the highest type His power of analysis is unusually superior, and his grasp of a subject is masterful. Preachers who hear him in a sermon are delighted.