William E[dward]. A[lexus]. SCOTT, commonly known as Ed SCOTT, owns and operates four hundred acres of land near Tuskeega, in Bloomington township. He was born in Ringgold county, near the Decatur county line, November 5, 1870, a son of John and Ann (JACKSON) SCOTT. The father was born near Waverly, Illinois, but was married at Tuskeega, Decatur county, Iowa. He secured considerable land in this [Decatur] county, which he improved and cultivated for many years, and passed away upon his farm on the 7th of March, 1899, when sixty-four years of age, and his demise was the occasion of much regret, as he was well and favorably know. His political belief was that of the republican party and he served in various township offices. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. She was born near Kokomo, Indiana, but in ther girlhood accompanied her parents on their removal to this county. Her father, Edward JACKSON, homesteaded a farm near the present site of Tuskeega, which is now owned by our subject. The JACKSONS were among the early settlers of this county, as they arrived in 1840. Mrs. SCOTT passed away August 28, 1898, when sixty-six years of age. On the paternal side our subject is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors and on the maternal from English stock. He is one of four children, the others being: J. P., who is residing upon the home farm; Mrs. W. W. DANNER, a resident of New Mexico; and Mrs. E. H. BAKER, of Des Moines.

William E. A. SCOTT was reared under the parental roof and is indebeted to the public school system for his education. During his boyhood days he assisted his father with the work of the home farm and when he arrived at years of maturity decided to follow the occupation of farming. he has been very successful and now owns four hundred acres of excellent land in Bloomington township [Decatur County] which adjoins the town of Tuskeega on three sides. He raises the usual crops and also engages in stock-raising quite extensively. Both phases of his business are well conducted and are proving very profitable.

In August, [9] 1893 [at Mount Ayr, Iowa], occurred the marriage of Mr. SCOTT and Miss Eva BARRET, who was born in Story county, Iowa, near Nevada, October 5, 1879, of the marriage of A. C. and Ellen (DICKINSON) BARRETT, early settlers of this state. They were born respectively in Ohio and in the vicinity of Kokomo, Indiana, but were married in Iowa. Mr. BARRETT, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away in February, 1908, at the age of sixty years, in the faith of the Christian church. His wife, who is living at Estherville, Iowa, is sixty-three years old. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters, the brothers and sisters of Mrs. SCOTT being: James, of Balboa Heights, Panama, who is in the United States government employ; Mrs. Mayme WOOD, of Kellerton, Iowa; Jesse, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Mrs. J. S. COFFIN, of Estherville, Iowa. Mrs. SCOTT received a good education, including a thorough business course, and taught school for some time. She was also a stenographer and was employed in Chicago at the time of her marriage. She has become the mother of six children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Rothmer, who is attending the Iowa State University; Dale, who is a member of the class of 1915 of the Lamoni high school; Ardis, who is attending high school; Kenneth, a student in the grades; and Vivian.

Mr. SCOTT is a democrat and has served acceptably in various township offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, and both he and his with hold membership in the Christian church of Kellerton, associations which indicated much concerning the principles which govern his life. He has been very successful, not only gaining financial independence but also winning the sincere respect and esteem of those who come in contact with him.

NOTE: John SCOTT was born March 29, 1833, Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois, and died March 7, 1899, Tuskeego, Decatur County, Iowa. He married Ann JACKSON on June 5, 1860, Tuskeego. Ann (JACKSON) SCOTT was born May 25, 1831, and died on August 26, 1898. John and Ann were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

William "Ed" SCOTT died on March 2, 1949, Tuskeego, Decatur County, Iowa. Eva (BARRET) SCOTT was born October 5, 1870, and died in Leon, Iowa on April 25, 1961. They were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Rothemer Albert SCOTT was born January 11, 1895, Tuskeego, Decatur County, Iowa. He married Ruth Francelia JOY on April 13, 1921, Rockford, Illinois. During World War II, Rothmer served in the U.S. Air Force. Rothmer and Ruth were the parents of four children: Mara Lea (SCOTT) HETHERINGTON (1922-2005), Edward Lewis SCOTT (1923-1976), John Clark SCOTT (1926-1942), and Paul Ervin SCOTT (1929-1939). Rothmer died January 8, 1955, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa.

Edward Lewis "Ed" SCOTT served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was aboard the "Oklahoma" when it was docked in Pearl Habor, torpedoed and capsized. After Pearl Harbor, Ed was reassigend to the "North Hampton".

Ruth Francelia (JOY) SCOTT was born at Strawberry Point, Clayton County, Iowa on December 25, 1899, the daughter of Lewis Napoleon JOY (1850-1929) and Berhta Amanda (CLARK) JOY (1862-1937). Ruth married 2nd Archie Harold REW, born November 25, 1904, Decatur County, Iowa, and died January 29, 1991, Leon, Iowa, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. Ruth died April 15, 1983, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa. She was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 388-90. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009