Page 571

THOMAS SCOTT is one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of Island Grove township, where he operates a highly improved farm of six hundred acres, his home being on section 11. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success and has become interested in other enterprises, which have also proved profitable.

A native of Sangamon county, Mr. Scott was born in Island Grove township on the 28th of October, 1861, and is a son of David Scott, who was born in Ireland about 1822, of Scotch ancestry, and came to the United States about 1847, when a young man. Taking up his residence in Sangamon county, Illinois, he was for a time employed on a farm and later engaged in the stock business. In those early days he drove his stock to St. Louis, where he found a ready market, and in connection with this business he also engaged in farming to some extent, owning at the time of his death a good farm of over one hundred acres in Cartwright township, Sangamon county. After coming to this country he always made his home either in this or Morgan county, Illinois. His death occurred here, March 1, 1897, but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Blair and is also a native of Ireland, still survives him and makes her home with a son on the old farm in Cartwright township. In the family were eight children, six sons and two daughters, but one son and one daughter are now deceased.

During his minority, Thomas Scott remained under the parental roof, his boyhood and youth being passed in Morgan and Sangamon counties, and he was mainly educated in the public and high schools of Lynnville. In Sangamon county he was married on the 9th of September, 1886, to Miss Susie Sandidge, who was born near Girard, Macoupin county, but was mostly reared in this county. Her father, Robert Sandidge, was from Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers of Jersey county, Illinois. To our subject and his wife were born three children: Susie and Bessie, twins, and Ethel. Mrs. Scott died January 4, 1902, and was laid to rest in Wood Wreath cemetery, mourned by all who knew her.

Since attaining man's estate Mr. Scott has followed the occupation to which he was reared, making a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock, fattening each year about one hundred head of cattle and a large number of hogs. He carries on farming on an extensive scale, and that he thoroughly understands his chosen vocation is indicated by the neat and thrifty appearance of his place. He was one of the organizers of the State Bank of New Berlin and took some of the stock in the new institution. Politically Mr. Scott is unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party and its principles, but he has never sought or cared for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He represents a worthy family that has long been identified with the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and is deserving of honorable mention in its history.