Biographical Sketch of Dr. John Scott

Born: Vermont, 1790.
Died: Prairie City, Illinois, 1883.

Was one of the strong men of his time--physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. He was a farmer, a schoolmaster, a surveyor, a physician and a preacher. When about eighteen years of age, he made the trip, on board "The Clermont," from New York to Albany. He came into Fulton County in 1839. There he, with other pioneers, formed what came to be known as the Scott Settlement. It was about five miles north of the site of Cuba.

He later made his home elsewhere in Fulton County, and at these places had for his neighbors and friends the families of McBeth, Bell, Rigdon, Oglesby, Reed, Markle, Dr. Speer Bangman, Boynton, Wheeler and Levi T. Scott. The wife of Levi Scott was Mary Doyle whose family came from Kentucky to Peoria County in 1835. For many years the Doyle family were influential as Christians in that county. For about twelve years after coming to Fulton County, Dr. Scott gave much time to preaching in the cabins of the pioneers, in log schoolhouses and elsewhere.

On canvas, he made an outline of Solomon's Temple and its furniture, by which to instruct people through eye-gates. During this period he was associated with the Christian Denomination. In 1851, Michael and Job Coombs, brothers and ministers of the churches of Christ in Indiana, came that way Through their preaching, Dr. Scott and a considerable number of friends were led to accept the more apostolic teaching. They were baptized on a Monday forenoon in the transparent waters of Lost Grove Creek as it ran its way among blooming flowers and singing birds.

In 1855 there was a considerable exodus of these people into McDonough County. They located on new farms near the site of Bushnell. Here Dr. Scott again took up his faithful and loving ministry and continued in it until handicapped by the burden of years. He was a strong and true man, whose life was full of good deeds.

These facts were furnished by a step-grandson, I. N. Scott, New Sharon, Iowa.