Nathan Scofield, a retired merchant of Strawberry Point, was born in Essex County, N. Y., on Lake Champlain, November 6, 1827. The family has been represented in America for many generations. Our subject's great-grandfather, Ebenezer Scofield, was a native of Connecticut and had a family consisting of nine sons and four daughters. Among his sons was Amos, who participated in the War of 1812, and afterward settling in Saratoga County, N. Y., spent his remaining years there.  Our subject's father, Harvey Scofield, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., March 16, 1802, and in early life followed the trade of a wagon-maker. Later, however, he was extensively engaged in the lumber business. In 1837 he removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and thence in 1865 came to Iowa, settling at Strawberry Point. Here he died in 1872 at the age of seventy years. His wife, who was also his second cousin, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Scofield; she passed from earth in January, 1888, aged eighty-one years.
      In a family of three sons and five daughters, our subject was next to the oldest. At present three of the sisters and the brothers are living. The eldest, H. H., was appointed Postmaster at Strawberry Point under the administration of President Grant and held the office for sixteen consecutive years; he is still a resident of this place. George D. is a farmer and lives near Strawberry Point. Laura Ann, now living in this village, is the widow of Dr. H. N. Sill, who died in 1892. Harriett is single and lives in this city. Sarah E. is the wife of William Madison, a retired agriculturist whose home is in Edgewood, Iowa.  Receiving a fair education in the district schools, our subject early became self-supporting, and learning the trade of a carpenter he followed that occupation for about twenty years. In 1852 he removed from New York to Michigan, where he sojourned two years. From there he went to Rockford, Ill., and thence in 1855 came to Strawberry Point, Iowa. Until 1873 he followed his trade, but during that year opened a general store, and for the fourteen ensuing years he was one of the most successful and prosperous merchants of the place. Misfortune, however, came to him. On the night of November 8, 1887, his store was burned to the ground with all its contents, entailing a heavy loss. Since that time Mr. Scofield has not been actively engaged in business, but leads a quiet and retired life.
      In 1858 Mr. Scofield married Miss Harriett, daughter of Lorin Noble. Her father was born in New York State in 1802, and there engaged in the lumber business. In 1854 he came to Iowa and settled upon a farm in Delaware County.  He attained an advanced age, dying in April, 1893. His wife, whose maiden name was Fannie Boardman, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., and was a well educated lady. She taught the first school in the village of Napoli, Cattaraugus County, N. Y. In November, 1887, she passed from earth aged eighty years. Her family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Harrison, who followed the dual occupation of farmer and merchant, died in Edgewood, Iowa, in March, 1893. Timothy is a retired agriculturist. Dwight, who during the late war enlisted as a soldier in the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, died in hospital during his service. Emily married Martin Richard, a retired farmer of Brush Creek, Iowa. Horace is engaged in the stock business in Montana. Susan, now living in Edgewood, is the widow of Milo Russell.
      Mr. and Mrs. Scofield were the parents of three children. The eldest, Orissa, died of diphtheria in 1864 at the age of three years. Neola, who was born in September, 1865, was united in marriage in April, 1888, with George Steinhilber, and they have one child, Ethel. The only son, Fred W., was born April 20, 1868, and received an excellent education, graduating from Upper Iowa University at Fayette. For some time he was employed as a bookkeeper, but on the 1st of November, 1889, went to North Dakota and was appointed Deputy Auditor of Ransom County. This position he was filling at the time he was taken fatally ill, August 31, 1893, he passed away. He was young, and had a bright future before him. His death was mourned by a host of friends and was a crushing blow to his devoted parents, whose pride he was. His musical ability was of a superior order, and at the time of his demise he was a member of the First North Dakota Regiment Band.
      Politically a Republican, Mr. Scofield has been chosen to fill many offices of honor and trust. For six years he has been Justice of the Peace, in which capacity, as in his other public offices, he has rendered excellent service. In 1855 he was made a Mason, and three years afterward became one of the charter members of the Strawberry Point Lodge, of the original members of which he is the only survivor. For seven years he was Master of the lodge. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is prominent in the fraternity. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has filled all the chairs, and has served several terms in many of the offices. He is a man who numbers as his friends all with whom social or business relations have brought him into contact. The principles of honor arid uprightness, which have ever guided him in his dealings with his fellow-men, have won for him the confidence of the people of the town and county.