Yolo-El Dorado-Calaveras County CA Archives Biographies.....Scott, George W. 1828 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 5, 2007, 12:12 am

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

GEORGE W. SCOTT, one of the leading agriculturists and one of the foremost
citizens of Yolo County, is a native of Seneca County, New York, born near the
town of Ovid, between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, October 19, 1828, his parents
being Daniel and Sarah (Dunlap Scott). The father, who was of a noted New
England family, was born at Warwick, Connecticut, whence he removed to New York
State, where he followed farming. The mother was born in Seneca County, New
York. Of their family of fifteen children, twelve were boys, and eleven grew to
maturity. Besides our subject, there are only two others of these now living,
viz.: Charles, who lives by the side of his brother, George W., in Yolo County,
and James B., a resident of Geneva, New York.

  The subject of this sketch grew up at his native place, under the watchful eye
of his father, to the age of nineteen years, when he was allowed, in the fall of
1847, to take a trip to Wayne County, Michigan. It was not intended that he
should stay longer than a few weeks, but the lake froze up, navigation closed,
and he was good for an all winter's stay with his Western relatives. The mails
in the spring brought him instructions to return by the first steamer, but he
decided to strike out on his own account, and to make his own start in the
world. Instead of taking the route homeward, he started west, and proceeded to
Kalamazoo, thence to St. Joseph, and finally to Chicago. He was very fond of
flat turnips, and, seeing a supply displayed in a grocer's establishment, he
invested a shilling and got a half bushel of them. With these he filled the
valise he carried, and all the available room in his pockets, and taking the few
that remained in his bands he started to walk into the country in search of
employment. He brought up in Columbia County, Wisconsin, 150 miles away, with
$1.50 left of the $6 with which he had started, and six turnips out of the
half-bushel. He secured work, and when his father learned that he was not going
to return home he sent out another son, who bought for our subject 400 acres of
land on Portage Prairie. There he remained until 1850, farming, and by that time
he had the place in pretty good shape. He caught the California fever, however,
and in the year mentioned he and two friends in Columbia County, named George
Jess and E. K. Dunlap, together with another man started on the long trip to the
Golden State. They had four horses hitched to a small, light wagon, and three
saddle horses, and, taking only such supplies as they deemed absolutely
necessary, the start was made. The result showed that their preparations were
exactly right, and when the journey was finished all were ready to admit that
they could not do better with all their experience. They crossed the Missouri
River at St. Joseph on the third of May, and proceeded via Forts Kearney and
Laramie, Sublette's cut-off, and down Humboldt River. At the sink of the
Humboldt they left their wagon, and with their horses packed across the desert
and into California, arriving at Placerville on the 21st of July, having stopped
over twenty days and traveled sixty-two.

  Mr. Scott commenced mining there, but after a few weeks went to Spanish Bar,
on the middle fork of the American River, and after a short time spent in search
for gold there went up on the divide between the North and Middle forks, having
been fairly successful in mining. He engaged in freighting between Sacramento
and Yankee Jim's, employing a mule team and also one of oxen. In the winter of
1851 he sold his freighting outfit and came to Yolo County pitching his tent on
Cottonwood Creek, about two miles from his present residence. He stocked the
place with hogs, and also bought a few cattle and horses. After a few months he
took S. M. Enos and Enoch Drew as partners. In the spring of 1852 he went back
East, partly to visit his parents and brothers, and partly to buy stock, being
accompanied by Mr. Drew. He arrived at his old home in July, and was
congratulated by his father on having been successful in doing for himself. He
remained there until the spring of 1854, being at that time the only one of the
boys at home, and then started on the return trip overland. In southern Illinois
he and Mr. Drew bought about 200 head of cattle, and started West, crossing the
Mississippi River at Chester. They reached the ranch in Yolo County with 167 head.

  During his trip East Mr. Scott was married and his wife accompanied him on the
trip. After arriving here Mr. Scott and his partner, who had accumulated jointly
considerable property, dissolved partnership, he taking the stock and Mr. Drew
taking the ranch. Mr. Scott took up a stock ranch at the head of Buckeye, and
for years thereafter was extensively engaged in the cattle business. American
cattle was then worth about $50 a head, and the resources of the country seemed
so abundant that a large number of the settlers were soon heavily engaged in the
cattle business. The year 1864 found everybody with big droves, and cattle fell
to $5. That, together with the terrible drouth of that year, broke up
nine-tenths of the cattle men. Mr. Scott gathered up about 600 head out of the
1,200 or 1,400 he had on hand, and took them to Nevada, placing the remainder on
the tule lands. His cattle became fat in Nevada, and he sold them at from $20 to
$30 apiece, making a good profit. His horses, which he took down to the tule
lands about Rio Vista, also came out well. Mr. Scott: is now extensively engaged
in cattle-raising, but he and Mr. Love have in partnership between 7,000 and
9,000 head of Spanish merino sheep. They are also among the heaviest farmers in
the valley, cultivating about 3,000 acres of land, and 10,000 used for grazing,
which they own together, Mr. Scott having the sole charge of the business. He
also has 1,000 acres on his home place, and 500 acres in his Buckeye ranch.

  He is also interested in oil wells in Ventura County, and at Half-Moon Bay,
San Mateo County. At the latter place he and a partner have $10,000 invested in
machinery, which is of the most improved pattern known to that industry. This
business takes about all his time the year round. He has also about 1,000 acres
at Banning, San Bernardino County.

  Mr. Scott is a stanch Republican in politics, and has taken a prominent part
in the councils of the party, although he does not class himself in any sense a
politician. He has, however, served his county in the Board of Supervisors, and
was the Republican candidate for the Legislature in 1870, and again in 1880.
Though unsuccessful on account of the long lead of the opposing party, he made a
close race, and ran ahead of his ticket. He has always taken an active interest
in public affairs, and the welfare of the community. While a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry, he was one of the most ardent workers for success. He took
an active part in the building of the Vaca Valley & Clear Lake Railroad, grading
the line at his own expense from Madison to Winters, and in all put about
$18,000 into it without any returns.

  Mr. Scott is a man of iron will and great self-reliance, which qualities have
made him what he is financially. He could, however, have been vastly better off
had he not been ready at all times to lend a helping hand to those who asked his
aid. His highest recommendation, however, is his honesty, and it is said of him
that he is incapable of anything but pure and manly motives, his word being to
him as sacred as life itself.

  His wife, to whom he was married in New York State, as previously mentioned,
December 13, 1853, was formerly Miss Emma Bloomer, a native of the Empire State.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott have four children living, viz.: Clarence, at home; Arthur,
who lives at Banning; Elma, wife of John H. Rice, of Dixon; and Charles Latham,
at home. Two are deceased, viz.: Addie and Stella.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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