Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Andrew F. Scott
It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of the state lies not in the machinery of government, or even in its institutions. but in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. To this class belonged Andrew F. Scott of Richmond, a man prominent in the business, social and church circles of the city. His influence for good was widely felt, and his example was indeed worthy of emulation. He was at all times actuated by the highest motives and the most lofty principles; he lived for the benefit of others, and his memory remains as an unalloyed benediction to all who knew him. The history of Richmond would be incomplete without the record of his life, so intimately was he connected with its commercial and benevolent institutions.
Andrew F. Scott was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, on the 28th of December, 1811, and made the best of the advantages afforded him for the acquirement of an education. In 1838 he left the Old Dominion in order to try his fortune upon the prairies of the far west and took up his residence in the little village of Richmond, Indiana. He entered upon his vocation here as a school-teacher, and later accepted the position of clerk for Daniel Reid. In 1839 Mr. Reid was appointed registrar of the land office at Fort Wayne, and appointed Mr. Scott his chief deputy. In 1841 the latter was appointed deputy sheriff of Wayne county and returned from Fort Wayne to Centerville in order to assume the duties of his new position. On the expiration of his term of service he went to Cincinnati and entered the employ of a steamboat company, with which he was connected until 1847, when he came to Richmond and embarked in merchandising. For four years he successfully carried on operations in that line, and then assumed the duties of county clerk, to which office he was elected in 1851 for a term of four years. In 1855 he was again chosen for that position, being elected almost without opposition. When his second term expired he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and carpentering, which he followed for six years, when, in 1866, he became a partner in the grocery firm of Forkner, Scott & Elmer, which relation was maintained for a number of years. In 1872 he was instrumental in organizing the Second National Bank, was one of its leading stockholders, and at its formation was elected president, in which position he continued to serve to the time of his death. To his enterprise, sagacity, keen discrimination and thorough reliability, the success of the institution is largely due, and to his efforts may be attributed its high standing in financial circles. He was a man of unquestioned integrity in all business transactions, was progressive in his methods and very energetic; and the success and prosperity he achieved was the deserved reward of honorable labor. He aided in organizing, and was a stockholder in the Richmond Natural Gas Company.
In 1839 Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Martha McGlathery, of Philadelphia. She was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1808. Her father was a wealthy market gardener near Philadelphia, who came to Richmond, Indiana, in 1837, and lived here until her marriage to Mr. Scott, July 11, 1839. She was a faithful helpmate until her death, January 8, 1888. She was a member of the United Presbyterian church, but her home among the flowers and plants was her delight. In regard to her benevolent character we can empathically say she never turned the needy from her door unsupplied. Her kindness of heart often carried her to the limit of her resources. For example, during the civil war word was received that the soldiers were suf¬fering for blankets to keep them warm; and Mrs. Scott contributed the last comfortable or quilt she had in the house.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Scott were John, Letitia, Augustus and Mary; but an are now deceased with the exception of Augustus. Letitia died February 22, 1863, at the age of twenty-two years. She was married in 1859 to Joseph McNutt, who died in 1877. They had two children. The elder, Albert Scott McNutt, is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and was stationed for some time in the west, at Cheyenne, Fort Thomas and other points, with the rank of first lieutenant. The younger son, Frank A., is a man of superior education and has traveled all over the world, having circumnavigated the globe. He served as secretary of the legation at Madrid and consul at Constantinople. He recently married a Miss Van Cortland Ogden, an heiress of New York city, and now lives in a palatial home in Rome, Italy. Mary E. was the wife of John M. Tennis, and had one daughter, Martha, wife of Joseph Gibson, of Richmond, Indiana.
For many years Mr. Scott was one of the leading and zealous members of the United Presbyterian church of Richmond, and served as elder for a long period. He was always found in his place at the church services and lived that practical religion which teaches charity, kindness, sympathy and benevolence. The poor and needy found in him a warm friend, yet his aid was always unostentatious, and was frequently bestowed when the recipient knew not who was the donor. In politics he was always a stanch Democrat, .and for eight years served as a member of the city council, taking an active part in the advocacy and adoption of all measures tending to prove of public benefit. He was an exemplary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Masonic order and of the local humane society. He passed away March 16, 1895, honored and respected by all who knew him. The banks of the city were closed during the hour of the funeral services, and throughout this section of Indiana was mourned the death of this honored pioneer, enterprising citizen, faithful friend, devoted husband and father and earnest Christian gentleman. At the meeting of the Humane Society, the following tribute to his memory was read by Mrs. F. M. Clark:
"The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than this loved and valued member of our society who has passed to the higher life. The stereotyped words customary on such occasions seem but mockery when we remember all the grand traits that went to make the character of this, one of nature's noblemen. In all the relations of life, family, church and society, he displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that innate refinement, that endeared him alike to man, woman and child. He early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others, and his integrity and fidelity were manifest in every act of his life. Splendid monuments record the virtues of kings, history's pages chronicle the deeds of heroes, but the memory of our brother will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. The example of such a life is an inspiration to others, and his influence will be felt long after the marble has crumbled and history's pages are dust. We feel that in the death of Andrew F. Scott our society has sustained an irreparable loss, and we extend to his family our sincere sympathy in this their great bereavement."
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899
Andrew F. Scott, President of the Second National Bank, Richmond, Ind., was born in Rockbridge County, Va., Dec. 28, 1811. He acquired a fair education in his native State, and when twenty-two years of age came to Wayne County, Ind., and engaged a school a short distance from Richmond. While teaching this school he arranged to enter the store of Daniel Reid, who was also Postmaster. He remained there as clerk several years, and in 1839, after the appointment of Mr. Reid as Register of the United States Land-office, at Ft. Wayne, he served as clerk there a year, and afterward served a year under James W. Borden, as Receiver. In 1841 he returned to Richmond, and became Deputy under Sheriff William Baker. He subsequently was clerk for Jesse Meek, and still later was clerk for an Ohio River steamboat company till 1847. In the latter year he returned to Richmond, and for several years carried on a successful mercantile business. Although belonging to the political party in the minority in Wayne County, in 1851 he was elected Clerk of the county, and re-elected in 1855, his term expiring in March, 1860. During that time he resided in Centreville. He subsequently followed farming, merchandizing and building several years, in the meantime erecting the Second National Bank building block. In 1867 he became a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Forkner, Scott & Elmer, remaining with it ten years. At the organization of the Second National Bank, in 1872, he was one of the prime movers and a stockholder, and has been its President from the date of organization. He is one of the leading members of the United Presbyterian church of Richmond. He married Martha McGlathery, of Philadelphia, in 1839. His children are — Letitia A., John, Augustus C., and Mary E.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2