Edwin J. Scofield, secretary of the Jas. A. Smith Lumber Company of Osage, Iowa and a director of Farmers National Bank, needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this section of the state and, moreover, has for a considerable period been closely and prominently identified with its commercial and financial interests.
He was born in the village of Mitchell, December 25, 1870, and is a son of Franklin A. and Emily L. (Stacy) Scofield.
His grandfather, Edwin Scofield, was born in Saratoga county, New York, in 1806, where he lived until 1846, when he and his family moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he lived upon a farm until his death, which occurred in 1805. His son, Franklin A. Scofield (father of Edwin J. Scofield), was the eldest of twelve children, and was born in Scroon, New York, October 13, 1833. His education was secured in the rural schools and a nearby academy. Following this he taught school winters and worked upon the farm summers.
He was married to Emily Lorain Stacy, August 29, 1861, and that fall came west to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he conducted a grocery store. In 1864 he moved back to Wisconsin and remained there until the fall of 1865, when he again started west, this time locating at Mitchell, where he bought a stock of goods of J. Buel, in company with William St. John. The following year, 1866, M. S. Stacy bought out the interest of Mr. St. John, and the firm name of Scofield & Stacy was then assumed. In connection with their general merchandise store, they also conducted a grain business until 1873, when the business was disposed of and they removed to Osage to continue in the same line of business. The firm name of Scofield & Stacy was well known throughout the county until 1887, when Mr. Stacy withdrew from the business, and it was then conducted by F. A. Scofield until 1900, when he sold out the business to W. W. Stacy. Mr. Scofield's death occurred eight years later on August 12, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Scofield were the parents of four children, namely: Fred Milton, who was born in Fulton, Rock county, Wisconsin, July 26, 1862, and is now residing at Worcester, New York; Frank Herbert, who was born at Mitchell, October 6, 1867, and died August 25, 1868; Edwin John, of this review; and Herbert Homer, who was born at Osage June 9, 1895, and is now living in Chicago.
Edwin J. Scofield received his education in the public schools of Osage, completing the high school course and graduating with the class of 1889. The three years following he attended the Cedar Valley Seminary. In July, 1902, he entered the employ of Eaton & Clyde as a stenographer and law clerk, where he remained for seven years, four years of this time being with Eaton & Clyde and three years with W. L. Eaton. In July, 1899, he entered the employ of Jas. A. Smith, and is still identified with lumber interests, being now secretary of the Jas. A. Smith Lumber Company, controlling extensive and important business activities of that character.
He is also secretary of the Royal Lumber Company, Smith-Hovelson Lumber Company, Smith-Thielen Lumber Company and the Superior Lumber & Coal Company, and is likewise a director of the Farmers' National Bank, and is a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination. His untiring efforts and close application to business have been followed by a success which is most gratifying.
On the 2nd of September, 1895, Mr. Scofield was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Smith, who was born in Osage, a daughter of Gershom W. Smith (who until his death was the senior member of the firm of G. W. & J. A. Smith) and Emily C. (Howard) Smith. Mrs. Scofield graduated from the Osage high school with the class of 1890, and from the Cedar Valley Seminary with the class of 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Scofield have one daughter, Irma Lorain, who was born in Osage November 3, 1899. She graduated from the Osage high school in 1917 and is now attending college at Grinnell, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Scofield are members of the First Congregational church, where for many years they have assisted in the activities of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Scofield is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic lodge.
As a representative of one of the old families he bears a name that has long been associated with the development of this county, and his own course has wrought for progress and improvement along lines that have contributed not only to the material upbuilding of this section but have furthered its public welfare along lines benefiting the entire community.
From: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, Volume II, 1918; Page 341
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, Nov. 2003