James W. Scott

As for James W. Scott’s birth, there is some disagreement among the sources I have seen, but I think the most likely date is July 26, 1826. Take your pick. I have copied my notes here:

James W. Scott was born when?

            A.  July 26, 1826.       From the published Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1889, pages 524-25.  A photocopy of a handwritten family document that appears to be old also gives this birth date.

            B.  1826                       From The History of Jackson County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago 1879, pages 738-39.

            C.  July, 1826              From the 1900 Federal Census of Perry Township, Jackson County

            D.  July 25, 1825.       From a type-written family document prepared about 1941 that incorporates information prepared about 1916 by his oldest daughter Clara Bell Scott Gibson.  I suspect that someone's handwriting or typing transformed the 6's into 5's.

            E.  July 29, 1825        From the gravestone in Andrew Iowa Cemetery.

E. July 26, 1825 From his obituary published by The Excelsior Record of Maquoketa, Iowa, on Friday, February 6, 1914, page 7, Column 6-7.