James A. Scott was born July 15, 1847, at Elk Mills, McDonald County, Missouri, third son of James A. Scott and Fannie M. Thompson. James A., Sr., was State senator for Crawford and Franklin Counties, Arkansas, for several years, and a very well known and highly reputable man. Young James, the subject of our sketch, at fourteen years of age, went to work for his uncle, a merchant of Little Rock, until 1868, when he entered the employ of the Memphis and Arkansas River Packet Company, remaining with them until 1871, when he went into farming and stock business in Missouri. In the fall of 1873 he came to the Indian Territory, and remained until 1878, when he became a commercial traveler for a Neosho, Missouri, wholesale house, and remained with that firm until they closed out in business, after which he took a position with the Alkire Grocery Company, St. Louis, and traveled for them through the Indian Territory, Arkansas and Texas, remaining with them until 1886, when he moved to Muskogee, Indian Territory, and became connected with Lewis & Moss, of that town, which position he is holding at present, the firm being known by the title of Moss & Co. They carry a stock of general goods, from $10,000 to $12,000, and do a lively business. J. W. Scott was married in December 1874, to Miss Sallie M. Anderson, of Nashville, Tennessee, a lady of many accomplishments and personal attractions. By this marriage there are five children, a boy and four girls. Mr. Scott is a pleasant gentleman, very popular, and although self-educated, none would recognize the fact, as he is a ready conversationalist on various subjects, and an excellent businessman.
