Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Augustus C. Scott
Of an old Virginia family that was founded in Indiana at an early period in the history of the Hoosier state, Augustus C. Scott is a worthy representative. He was born in the city which is still his home, Richmond, August 4, 1843, and is a son of Andrew F. and Martha Scott. His grandfather, Jesse Scott, was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, where he spent his entire life in the occupation of farming. Andrew F. Scott likewise was a native of. Rockbridge county, born December 8, 1811. He was educated in the common schools, was reared on a farm, and in 1838 came to Indiana. For many years he was identified with the growth, development and improvement of Wayne county, and in his death, which occurred March 16, 1893, the community experienced a great loss.
Under the parental roof Augustus C. Scott was reared to manhood, and pursued his education in the schools of Centerville and Richmond, and through this source and by means of reading, experience and observation he has become a well informed man. For many years he has successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of two valuable farms. The larger, comprising two hundred and seventy-eight acres of rich land, is situated a mile and a half east of Richmond, while the other, of sixty-three acres, is three miles southeast of Richmond, and both are in Wayne township. Thus conveniently near the city, Mr. Scott gives to them his personal supervision and derives from the property a very desirable income. For a number of years he has successfully and extensively engaged in the raising and selling of stock, and being an excellent judge of stock he makes judicious purchases and profitable sales. His business interests, however, have not been confined to one line of endeavor. He is a man of resourceful ability and has been an active factor in the successful control of some of Richmond's leading enterprises. He is a stockholder in the Richmond Natural Gas Company, and also in the Second National Bank, and through these avenues adds materially to his income.
In marriage Mr. Scott was united with Miss Rachel, a daughter of John S. and Rachel (Thorne) Brown, the wedding being celebrated May 3, 1888. They became the parents of four children, namely: Thomas H., now deceased; Andrew F., Martha Mabel and Ruth Eloise, all at home. The family is one of prominence in Richmond, and their home is the center of a cultured society circle.
In his political views Mr. Scott is a Democrat, but aside from casting an intelligent ballot in support of the principles of his party he takes little part in political affairs. At all times and in all places he commands the respect of his fellow townsmen by his upright life, and in the history of the county he well deserves representation.
His father-in-law, John S. Brown, deceased, was born in New Jersey in 1812, and in 1819 was taken to Preble county, Ohio, by the family in their emigration to that point. After growing up he became a successful farmer, buying the old home farm of six hundred acres, where Mrs. Scott was brought up. She was the youngest of nine children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. Brown was especially successful in the rearing of live stock, practically carrying out the maxim, "The best is none too good." For about eight years he was connected with a firm in Richmond engaged in packing pork. In his religious views he was liberal, not connected with any church, though by birthright a Friend. In 1836 he married Rachel Thorne, a native of New Jersey, who was engaged in school-teaching before her marriage. She was an active member of the Hicksite Friends' meeting, and was a clerk of the meeting at her death in 1856. Mr. Brown died in 1879.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899