Merle K. Scott, M. D. There are few lovers of literature who have not lost themselves in the incomparable romances of sir Walter Scott, and probably the most knowledge that many have ever gained of Scotland had been based on the illuminating writings of her greatest novalist. From that country and from the same stock came the Scotts of Kansas, a prominent reprecentative of which family is Dr. Merle K. Scott, physician and surgeon at Frontanac.
Merle K. Scott was born at Coyville, Wilson County, Kansas, April 16, 1878. His parents are Rev. Robert M. and Sarah Kinnear (Kirkpatrick) Scott, who reside on a farm situated one mile weet and one-half mile south of Frontenac, Kansas. Robert M. Scott was born in Owen County, Kentucky, in 1846. About the time he reached manhood his parents removed to Salem, Illinois, and in 1866 he came to Oskaloosa, Kansas. For a time he worked on his pioneer farm. Prior to this, however, in 1861 he onlisted for service in the Civil war, but five months later was injured so seriously that he was compelled to give up military life. He had been reared in the Methodist Episeopal faith and after coming to Oskalooss entered the ministry of that chnrch. He became well known as a minister, serving in many sections, where he was always welecomed. In 1888 he was stationed at Pittsburg in Crawford County, in which place he preached for three years. When he retired from the ministry he settled on his farm and here the evening of life is being passed. He married Sarah Kinnear Kirkpatrick, who was born in 1847, in Virginia, and they became the parents of four children; Bertha M., who is the wife of Arthur S. Henry, now of Geneva, Illinois, who for many years was in the lumber business in Kentucky; Coral F., who is highly accomplished, a teacher in both German and English, reddes at home; Merls K.; and Hal M., who is associated with F. C. Werner in a real estate and loan business at Pittsburg, Kansas. The father of the above family was a member of the board of education at Pittsburg while he resided there.
In the excellent public schools of Pittsburg, Kansas, Merle K. Scott pursued his education and was creditably graduated from the high school in 1896. By that time he had determined on his future career and while working in an express office for two years he was utilizing spare moments in studies along the line he intended to follow, and in 1898 he entered the University Medical College at Kansas City, Missouri, and was graduated therefrom with his degree in 1901. A physician in the face of a distressing epidemis is supposed to be braver than other men, and Doctor Scott had the opportunity of proving it when his introduction to the practice of his profession was as assistant to the Crawford County health officer for some months during a smallpox epidemic. Doctor Scott had never had reason to be asbamed of his attitude during a time when the most courageous and philanthropic sometimes flee, nor do his friends forget the value of his willing services. He subsequently established his office at Frontenac, being located now at No. 117 Depot Street, and carries on a general medical and surgical practice of wide extent. He keeps fully abreast of the times in medical science and is a valued member of the Crawford County and the State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Southeastern Kansas Medical Society. He is also local surgeon for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and local surgeon for the Jackson & Walker Coal and Mining Company.
In 1908, at Girard, Kansas, Doctor Scott married Miss Daisy I. Smith, who is a daughter of J. E. and Emma Smith, prominent residents of Girard, where Mr. Smith is a merchant. Doctor and Mrs. Scott have two children; Arthur Merle, who was born July 28, 1910; and Lois Virginia, who was born September 2, 1914. The comfortable family residence is No. 119 Depot Street. In politics Doctor Scott, like his father, is a strong republican and at present he is serving in the office of city health officer. He had long been prominent in Masonry, belonging to Pittsburg Lodge No. 187, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Pittsburg Chapter No. 58, Royal Arch Masons; Pittsburg Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar, and Mirza Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also of Pittsburg. He had interests outside his profession and is secretary of the Frontenac State Bank, and is a member of the Frontenac Commercial Club. Doctor and Mrs. Scott belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is one of the trustees of the same.