Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 189
GEORGE M. SCOTT, the present Treasurer of Muscatine County, Iowa was born in Pedee, Cedar County, Jan. 14, 1841, and is a son of Jasper and Sarah ( Beatty ) Scott. The family came from Trenton, N. J., in the early Territorial days of Iowa, and George was numbered among the first children born in this commonwealth. He was the youngest of six children, four sons and two daughters. The early advantages received by him were only such as are furnished in pioneer localities, and his education was received in a primitive log school-house, with rude surroundings. When he was lad of thirteen, his father died, and the care of the farm and its maintenance devolved upon him and his brother Jasper, who was four years older. Nobly did they perform the duties devolving upon them, supplying as far as possible the loss of their father. In 1859 George left the parental roof to seek his fortunes in California, and was logging in the mountains of that State when the war broke out. Soon after returning to his home he there spent the winter, and the following spring, prompted by his patriotic impulse, he enlisted in Co. D, 24th Iowa Infantry. Shouldering his musket he started for the front, and met the enemy in an engagement at Port Gibson. At the hard-fought battle of Champion Hills he proved the target for a rebel bullet, being severely wounded. He was there forced to go into a hospital, while the regiment went on to share in the siege of Vicksburg, but when Gen. Banks proceeded on the Red River expedition his health had so far recovered that he joined the command. From there he was suddenly transferred to the Shenandoah Valley, and witnessed the end of Sherman's famous ride to Winchester, and was in the dust, smoke and shot of Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill, carrying forever engraved on eye and memory the bloody scenes of those days when Sherman sent the enemy "whirling through the valley." Mr. Scott was then transferred with his company to Savannah Ga., where he was doing duty when Lee surrendered, and his long service of three years came to an end. The company returned to Davenport, and was disbanded, Private Scott receiving his discharge as Orderly Sergeant. Nobly did he stand by the Union, and but few soldiers followed the old flag on so many fields of combat, in such extreme parts of the country, or under such widely diversified command.

After the close of hostilities Mr. Scott returned to his home in Cedar County, where he engaged in farming for a year. and in 1867 went into the mercantile business in Pedee, following that avocation until 1873, at which time he sold out and again made a journey to the Pacific Slope. Many changes had been wrought in the Golden State since his former visit, and after a stay of nine months he returned to Pedee, but in the spring of 1877 removed to Atalissa, where he purchased the stock and trade of N. D. Dyer, dealer in general merchandise. He continued in this line until 1883, when he was chosen by the Democratic party as their nominee for County Treasurer. When the ballot box was opened at the succeeding election it was found that he was the people's choice for that office, and he soon entered upon the discharge of his duties. The efficient and able manner in which he filled the position led to his re-election in 1885, and again in 1887, his popularity as an official constantly increasing.

On the 30th of May, 1866, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Hutchinson, of Pedee, and by their union seven children have been born, all of whom are yet living with the exception of one son. They have a lovely home of East Fourth street, and since coming to Muscatine have gained many warm friends, and in the social world of the city hold an enviable place. The fidelity with which Mr. Scott discharges the duties of his office is only equaled by his faithfulness to the flag which now floats so proudly over our united Nation. Left without a father's tender care at an early age he was forced to fight life's battles alone, but success has crowned his efforts, and he is now numbered among the county's most honored citizens.

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