Melissa Scott

SCOTT, YOUTSEY, GITTINGER, BLACK, LANDRITH

Posted By: Rosalind Cazel (email)
Date: 11/2/2009 at 23:20:10

From The Leader, Chariton, Iowa; March 13, 1923

Death of Mrs. Melissa Scott

She and Her Husband Came to This County with the Pioneers

There are many yet in Lucas county who will remember Simon Scott, who for decades resided near old La Grange upon what is now the Curran farm, which he owned, and was largely engaged in farming and the buying and shipping of live stock. He and family left there in 1887 and located in Wichita County, Kansas. He died twelve years ago near Chase, in that state. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Melissa Scott until on February 26, 1923, when she, too, succumbed to the infirmities of age and was laid to rest beside the remains of her husband at Raymond. So thus, two former pioneers of Lucas county have found rest after a long and eventful pilgrimage upon this sphere of mortal probation.

Melissa Youtsey was born at Seymour, Jennings county, Indiana, on October 7, 1831, and died on February 26, 1923, making her span of life more than 91 years. On September 11, 1851, she was united in marriage to Simon Scott, at the home of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Youtsey, at Seymour, and in 1852 came to Iowa, locating at La Grange. The westward movement was strong and this couple could not resist the impulse, especially as the parents and other of the family kin, were coming to the new state where opportunities were beckoning owing to the cheap and fertile lands spread out in undulating prairies ready to be transformed into homes. Their journey over the Illinois stretches and across the great river bordering the mid country was but a repetition of the experiences of thousands of others, sure but plodding, and the after years, busy throughout. Yet they did their part toward the making of a commonwealth and shaping its future destinies among the galaxy of states.

After going to Kansas the balance of their allotted time was spent there except two years in the state of Washington. Desiring to return to Kansas again their son, J. H. Scott, who resides at Leoti, went to Washington and took them back to the Sunflower state, where they afterwards resided with their children, and found sepulcher. Of the eight children born to them all survive except the olders, C. T. Scott, who died on April 17, 1921. The balance of the children are J. H. Scott, of Leoti, Kansas; Herman, of Hoisington; Willis, Elmore, Alberta, Canada; Mrs Ella Black, Great Falls, Montana; David, of Spokane, Washington; Mrs. Mollie Landrith, Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Frank, at Chase, Kansas. She was and aunt of the Mesdames G. J. and H. W. Gittinger, of this city, and in a personal letter the following data is given. "She passed away at the home of her son, Herman, at Hoisington. J. H. Scott was with her, and she was conscious to the end. Her illness was from Wednesday morning until Monday noon. She suffered very little, just exhaustion at first, after which pneumonia, which took her quickly. The funeral was held at Chase, Kansas, and burial at Raymond, where father was buried. She was a life-long member of the Christian Church. The funeral was held in the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. McCormick. Of the children J. H., Frank and Herman were the only ones able to attend."

And so it is that we record the brief life stretch of one whom we well knew and revered, who held the high regard of those long knowing her, and who had met every obligation to family and kindred ties, and with her passing the filial memories of a long association will be cherished.