CARTER SCOTT

Carter Scott, senior member of the firm of Carter Scott & Son, which owns and conducts an excellent hardware and grocery store in Davis City, was born in New Albany, Indiana, March 27, 1860, a son of Harbert and Nancy (McKinley) Scott. The father, who was of English descent, was born in Kentucky, a son of John Scott, who removed from the Blue Grass state to Indiana when his son Harbert was but a child The town of Scottsville, Indiana, was named after John Scott, who was well known and highly esteemed in his community. Harbert Scott was by trade a blacksmith and tool maker and was an efficient workman. Our subject has I his store some tools made by his father over fifty years ago. I later life the father also engaged in farming and in all that he did met with gratifying success. His wife, who was born at New Providence, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish stock, was a distant relative of President McKinley. Our subject’s parents were married at New Providence, Indiana, and both passed away upon a farm near Scottsville, that state, the demise of the father occurring in November, 1910, and that of the mother in December of the same year.

Carter Scott attended the district school located on and given by his father for school purposes, and also assisted with the work of the homestead, thus familiarizing himself with agricultural methods. When twenty years of age he removed to Iowa, arriving in Davis City in March, 1880. For a year he worked at odd jobs but March 1, 1881, entered the general store of J. E. Teale as a clerk. He held that position for nine years, or until the firm became Teale & Kramer. Subsequently he purchased a half interest in the business, the name being changed to Kramer & Scott. Two and a half years later Mr. Kramer sold his interest to H. L. McClaran and the business was conducted for two decades under the firm style of Scott & McClaran. At the end of that time our subject sold his interest to Mr. McClaran and purchased the hardware and grocery store of I. N. Jeffries. Mr. Scott conducted the business alone until January, 1912, when he took into partnership his son, C. Erald Scott, the firm name becoming Carter Scott & Son. They deal exclusively and hardware and groceries and have a large and representative trade. One of the leading factors in the success of their business has been their unswerving honesty and integrity and they have also taken much pains to satisfy the demands of their customers, buying their stock with especial reference to the needs of their community.

On the 29^th of March, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and Miss Lulu Bass. She is a daughter of Seth M. and Sarah (Blowers) Bass, natives respectively of New York state and Vermont. The father emigrated to Michigan in early manhood and subsequently removed with his family to Lamoni, where both he and his wife passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have two children. Veta L. was born November 30, 1887, and is now the wife of Julian E. Butterworth, who is the head of the department of secondary education in the State University at Laramie, Wyoming. They have a son, Julian Scott, who is five years of age. Carter Erald, born November 25, 1890, was graduated from the Davis City high school and following his graduation attended Graceland College at Lamoni. He is now the junior member of the firm of Carter Scott & Son.

Mr. Scott is a stalwart democrat and for several terms served on the city council. For eighteen years he was secretary of the school board of Davis City and has always manifested a keen interest in the cause of popular education. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Davis City ad his son is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of that place. Mrs. Scott and both the son and daughter belong to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints of Davis City and take an active part in its work. Mr. Scott’s success in life is due to his astuteness, sound business judgment and untiring energy, as he began his independent career without capital or the backing of influential friends. He has not only won financial prosperity but has also gained an honored name, as all who have come in contact with him whether in business or social relations hold him in the highest esteem.