Thomas D. Scott Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 313-314

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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THOMAS D. SCOTT. Among the pioneers of Sanborn county who are noted for 
their eminent success in their chosen calling is the gentleman whose 
name stands at the head of this review. He is a most thorough and 
skillful farmer and a business man of more than ordinary ability, who, 
since taking up his residence on section 28, Diana township, has been 
an important factor in the development and improvement of this region. 

Mr. Scott was born in Warwickshire, England, in 1851, of Welsh 
parentage, and was left motherless at the age of five years. His father 
was a farmer by occupation. Our subject spent his boyhood in 
Birmingham, London and Herefordshire, England, and in Radnor and 
Breconshire, Wales, and received a common-school education. On laying 
aside his text books he learned the blacksmith's trade. 

At the age of eighteen years, Mr. Scott crossed the broad Atlantic, 
and, on landing at New York, proceeded at once to Columbia county, 
Wisconsin, where he worked on farms during the summer season and 
attended school through the winter months. In the fall of 1879 he came 
to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and from there by team to that part of 
Miner county which now forms Sanborn county. Here he took up the 
southeast quarter of section 28, Diana township, and erected a shanty 
thereon to hold it, while he returned to Minnehaha county, South 
Dakota, rented land and raised a crop during the summer of 1880. In the 
spring of 1882 he returned to his claim by team and wagon, put up a 
small frame stable and commenced to break and cultivate his land while 
living alone for three years. 

In 1885, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Delaney, a 
native of Wisconsin, who was reared on a farm and had successfully 
engaged in teaching school in Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Five 
children bless this union, namely: Lewis D., Margaret A., James D., 
Walter and Mary.  

In 1884 Mr. Scott had the misfortune to have all of his buildings 
destroyed by fire, which started in a manure pile by spontaneous 
combustion. He was about a half mile from home at the time but could 
not get there in time to save anything. Coming as it did when he was 
just getting nicely started here, it proved a sad loss. However, he has 
since steadily prospered and is now the owner of three hundred and 
twenty acres of good land, about half of which is under cultivation. It 
is all fenced and supplied with a commodious residence, good barn and 
other outbuildings, and has plenty of good water. Mr. Scott gives his 
attention to general farming, having no specialty. When he located upon 
his land the nearest railroad station was at Alexandria and all 
supplies had to be hauled from there, but as the years have passed the 
comforts of civilization have been brought nearer and nearer until 
everything now is within easy reach. 

Politically, Mr. Scott is a pronounced Populist; takes an active part 
in political affairs, and does all in his power to advance the 
interests of his party. He has held numerous township offices of honor 
and trust, and in 1890 and again in 1898 received the nomination of his 
party for state representative.