The subject of this sketch the present States Attorney of Rock Island County, was born in Muscatine, Iowa, on November 26, 1870. His parents were William W. Scott, now deceased, and Margaret (Hickey) Scott, the former of sturdy Scotch, and the later of keen, energetic Irish ancestry. Mr. Scott’s father served three years during the Civil War as a member of Company M, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and was for almost forty years a locomotive engineer on the Rock Island Railway, and for one term an alderman from the Seventh Ward of Rock Island.
John K. Scott came to Rock Island County with his parents in 1875, having lived the first few years of his life in Muscatine and later in Brooklyn, Iowa. He attended the public schools of the City of Rock Island and graduated from the high school in the Class of ’89, being president of his class. He then entered the Rock Island post office, where he was employed as a letter carrier until September, 1893, when, having saved enough money to realize his cherished ambition, he resigned his position and entered the law department of the State University of Iowa. He graduated from that institution in 1895, as president of the law class of that year.
Mr. Scott was for two years professionally associated with C. J. Searle, and in 1897 he was appointed by President McKinley United States Consul at La Chaux De Fonds, in Switzerland, resigning that position after one year of service to re-enter the practice of the law in Rock Island. He was elected City Attorney of Rock Island in 1899, and was
re-elected in 1901 and 1903. In November, 1904, he was elected States Attorney of Rock Island County by a majority of 3,602.
Mr. Scott was married on June 3, 1906, to Amy Louise Huey, of Moline, a lady whose pleasing personality, tact and grace have been a great assistance to her husband in his successful career. He is a member in good standing in Rock Island Commandery, Knight of Templar; Rock Island Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Trio Lodge, No. 57, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; Kaaba Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Rock Island Lodge, No. 980, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; C. W. Hawes Camp, No. 1550, Modern Woodmen of America; Rock Island Aeria, No. 956, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Sons of Veterans.
Politically Mr. Scott has always been a Republican, the type of Republicanism that came from a father who cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, while a soldier at the front. As a lawyer Mr. Scott is well qualified both by nature and education to maintain a high place in his profession. As a public official, he is efficient, courteous and kindly, ever ready to lend an attentive ear to the unfortunate and sinned against. Mr. Scott’s best friends are those who know him best in his professional as well as in his happy home life. Such an official deserves, and will retain, the confidence of the people.