Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Prof. J. W. Scroggs

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Prof. J. W. Scroggs. Prominent among the educators of Benton County, 
Ark., stands Prof. Scroggs, who is principal of, and an able 
instructor in, Rogers Academy, of that county. He is a native of Dade 
County, Mo., born October 26, 1852, and is the second child born to 
William L. and Leah C. (Mitchell) Scroggs, who were natives, 
respectively, of North Carolina and Mississippi. The father was twice 
married, Miss Mitchell becoming his second wife. She died on the 25th 
of December, 1883, but he is still living, and resides in Dade County, 
Mo. Prof, Scroggs spent the healthy, happy and busy life of the 
farmer's boy, and was educated at the common schools and at Lafayette 
College, Easton, Penn., in which institution he took a very thorough 
and extensive course in the languages and sciences, and graduated from 
the same in 1875. He took the degree of A. B., and the final degree of 
A. M., and during the close of his collegiate career published a book 
of college songs, entitled "Songs of Lafayette," on which he realized 
considerable money. He has also revised Smith's Astronomy, published 
by Charles H. Whiting, Boston, Mass. The work is intended for a text 
book. He has written considerable music, one of the most successful 
pieces being a meditation for the piano, "The River of Life," 
published by J. M. Russell, Boston, Mass. Another popular piece is the 
"Honey-Moon Polka," which has been played several times at Rogers 
Academy commencements. On leaving college his health was somewhat 
impaired by close application to his studies, and for some time he 
gave his attention to music, holding conventions in various places in 
the State of Missouri. He gained in health so rapidly that in 1878 
he took the principalship of the Peirce City Public Schools, and held 
the position for about two years. He then resigned his position and 
became principal of the public schools of Vinita, I. T. He built a 
church there, mostly with his own hands, and also a parsonage, and was 
the founder of Worcester Academy in that place. He became a minister 
of the Gospel while in the Territory, but at the end of five years was 
obliged to seek a more healthy location. He made two tours over the 
New England States, soliciting money for the academy which he had 
founded at Vinita, and in 1884 came to Rogers, and in connection with 
his school acted as pastor of the Congregational Church the first 
year. Since that time he has given his attention to his school. He has 
several other books in preparation, which he is finishing as fast as 
his school duties will permit. August 31, 1878, he was married to Miss 
Flora Beckwirth, who was born at Pana, Ill., August 24, 1861. They 
have two children: Maurice and Wendell.