BIOGRAPHY: James Scott; Montgomery, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JAMES SCOTT. The life of this gentleman illustrates what it is in the power of
a brave and energetic man to accomplish for himself. Orphaned at the age of
thirteen, he was taken into the family of Henry Denton, of Goshen, where the
two ensuing years were passed. He then began an apprenticeship to the
shoemaker's trade, and, as his wages were exceedingly small, at the end of
four years, besides clothing himself; he had saved but twenty-six cents. From
that small beginning he worked his way to prosperity and success. Though he
never gained wealth, he ac-cumulated a competency, and has sufficient to
provide his declining years against poverty and hardship. Not only this, but,
what is better still, he has been successful in gaining the respect of his
associates and the esteem of his friends.

Though a native of Orange County, Mr. Scott is of foreign parentage and
descent. His parents, Henry and Eleanor (Bell) Scott, were natives,
respectively, of Ireland and Scotland, but emigrated to America early in life
and were married in Orange County, where he followed the dual occupation of
shoemaker and farmer. She died at the age of thirty, when James was four years
old, and he survived a few years only, passing away when forty years of age.
The parental family consisted of three sons, namely: David B., who lives near
the old home in Scotchtown; James, who was born in Scotchtown January 28,
1829; and John, who settled in Smithville, Monroe County, Ind., many years ago
and has never returned to the old homestead. Before the death of his father
James went to Goshen, where he made his home with Henry Denton. May 3, 1843,
he came to Montgomery and was here apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade
under Abram Conklin, receiving $15 and board the first year, with an advance
of $5 per year afterward.

After acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade Mr. Scott started in
business for himself at Montgomery, opening a shop and carrying on a
profitable trade until failing health forced hint to seek other employment.
About 1868, after having been in the shoe business for twenty years, he opened
a grocery store, and was thus engaged until 1876, when ill-health obliged him
to retire from active work. After the election of President Cleveland he was
appointed Postmaster, in 1885, but served one year only, resigning in favor of
his partner, Charles A. Crist, with whom he remained as deputy. His connection
with the post-office continued until the expiration of President Cleveland's
term of office. He is now acting as local agent for James Dickson & Bro.,
dealers in granite and marble monuments, of Jersey City, but with this
exception is practically retired from business. During the long course of his
business life his health was frequently very poor and for many years he
suffered with asthma, but of this he was to a large extent relieved after
using a specific made by a Buffalo physician.

In 1858 Mr. Scott was made an Odd Fellow in Freeman's Lodge No. 170, which was
established in 1845 and was then at Walden. He is an enthusiast in lodge work,
and for twenty-five years has been a member of the vigilant and sick
committees. Politically a Democrat, he has frequently represented his party in
conventions, and upon that ticket he was elected Overseer of the Poor, though
the town itself is strongly Republican. At one time he was candidate for
County Superintendent of the Poor and received one hundred and eighty-three
majority in a town that usually gives one hundred and eighty-five Republican
majority. Many of the state Democratic conventions he has attended, the last
one having been at Albany, when Governor Hill was nominated for Governor of
New York. In 1845 he became a member of the Montgomery Guards, Company A,
Nineteenth Regiment, New York State Militia, and remained with them until
1859. He was elected Corporal upon the organization of the company, and in
1848 was elected Orderly-Sergeant, which position he occupied until 1859.
The marriage of Mr. Scott, May 19, 1861, united him with Miss Nettie R.,
daughter of Henry and Mary (Parks) Welsh, and a native of Montgomery. The
family of which she is a mem-ber is one of prominence, and her brother,
William J. Welsh, is a noted attorney of Binghamton, N. Y. In religious belief
she is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to the maintenance of which Mr.
Scott contributes, though not identified with any church.