Isaiah Leonard Scott (March 24, 1890 - 1968)
Grandad Leonard was an intelligent man. I used to work for him moving houses during the summers and enjoyed hearing his views (and sometimes debating) on a wide range of subjects. He treated me like a man and seemed interested in what I had to say. He had broad shoulders and muscular arms. Though he was extremely good natured, some men in the local beer joints had learned the hard way not to piss him off. He carried both roll-your-own and tailor-made cigarettes. He could roll a cigarette with one hand. He saved the tailor mades for a special treat after meals. I remember watching him sit on the running board of a truck and pull a tooth with a pair of pliers. He died of prostate cancer when he was 78.
Grandad Scott and Grandma Jane got married around 1911 and had Aunt Linda in August, 1913 and my Father in October, 1914. Around 1920 they were divorced and shortly afterward he married an Irene McKay. They had the following children:
Betty Scott March 11, 1922
Leonard G. Scott (Junior/Tuny) March 11, 1922
Mary Ann Scott May 15, 1923
Richard Lee Scott (Dickie) May 15, 1923 (That's right, two sets of twins)
Dickie set a barn afire playing with matches as a small child and all the kids got out except him.
Gladys Marciline Scott August 15, 1924
I was closest to Aunt Marcy and we always stayed in contact. I have about nine half first cousins around from Grandad Scott's second marriage. One, Frank Brock, Betty's son, is a Navy retiree who lives in Pensacola.
In the late 30s the second wife died and later he married a third time, a Blanch Blake. They lived in Crestline until she died of cancer (around 1950 as I recall). They had no children. After Blanch he spent the last years of his life living alone, except for an occasional overnight guest I used to find in his bed when I'd look for him to go to work. He liked to eat, drink, chase women, talk, plan things . . . and finally work. He was known for being pretty lazy. He was fairly well educated for his generation and knew quite a bit about engineering. I don't know for sure, but remember hearing that he'd attended a university somewhere. This was a big deal at the time since only about six percent of Americans graduated from HS back then. He seemed to care little about money and when he had it (usually right after a house-moving job) he spent it on everyone. If he ever worried about anything he hid it well. I found this refreshing. Most others of his generation seemed to take everything (particularly themselves) way too seriously. Grandad seemed to know almost everyone in the county. Anytime someone would ask me who I was I'd tell them I was a grandson of Scotty the housemover and then they'd accept me as a native.
Betty Scott March 11, 1922
Leonard G. Scott (Junior/Tuny) March 11, 1922
Mary Ann Scott May 15, 1923
Richard Lee Scott (Dickie) May 15, 1923 (That's right, two sets of twins)
Dickie set a barn afire playing with matches as a small child and all the kids got out except him.
Gladys Marciline Scott August 15, 1924
I was closest to Aunt Marcy and we always stayed in contact. I have about nine half first cousins around from Grandad Scott's second marriage. One, Frank Brock, Betty's son, is a Navy retiree who lives in Pensacola.
In the late 30s the second wife died and later he married a third time, a Blanch Blake. They lived in Crestline until she died of cancer (around 1950 as I recall). They had no children. After Blanch he spent the last years of his life living alone, except for an occasional overnight guest I used to find in his bed when I'd look for him to go to work. He liked to eat, drink, chase women, talk, plan things . . . and finally work. He was known for being pretty lazy. He was fairly well educated for his generation and knew quite a bit about engineering. I don't know for sure, but remember hearing that he'd attended a university somewhere. This was a big deal at the time since only about six percent of Americans graduated from HS back then. He seemed to care little about money and when he had it (usually right after a house-moving job) he spent it on everyone. If he ever worried about anything he hid it well. I found this refreshing. Most others of his generation seemed to take everything (particularly themselves) way too seriously. Grandad seemed to know almost everyone in the county. Anytime someone would ask me who I was I'd tell them I was a grandson of Scotty the housemover and then they'd accept me as a native.
Below are some of Grandad Scott's ancestors I have from Aunt Linda. I don't know exactly how they fit. By the name Updike I suppose we can assume we have some Dutch heritage.
(Parents)
George W. Scott, November 26, 1826-July 21, 1893
Lucy A. Updike (?-?)
Note: His Father was in his 60s when he was born and died about three years afterward. It was a second marriage for his Father and I think the following people (or most of them) are half siblings from his Father's previous marriage. I've heard he was raised by his Mother and a Stepfather as an only child and was sort of spoiled. Following we're copied off tombstones:
Hanna Scott?, January 7, 1821-January 12, 1886 (Possibly his Father's first wife)
Mary E. Scott, January 14, 1846-1858
Note how young some of them died. Chances for raising children to adulthood weren't so great back then.
Marthy E. Scott, December 9, 1849-December 13, 1858
Sarah A. Scott, May 12, 1851- March 28, 1872
James W. Scott, January 1853
John C. Scott, October 6, 1856
William H. Scott, November 1859
George B. M. Scott, August 18, 1862
George G. Scott, ?-February 2, 1887 (Possibly a full Brother who died as an infant)
Final anecdote: When Aunt Marcy finally talked Grandad into putting in for social security, they had a hell of a time because he'd never paid any FICA or filed income tax. He finally got some, but I have no idea how.
(Parents)
George W. Scott, November 26, 1826-July 21, 1893
Lucy A. Updike (?-?)
Note: His Father was in his 60s when he was born and died about three years afterward. It was a second marriage for his Father and I think the following people (or most of them) are half siblings from his Father's previous marriage. I've heard he was raised by his Mother and a Stepfather as an only child and was sort of spoiled. Following we're copied off tombstones:
Hanna Scott?, January 7, 1821-January 12, 1886 (Possibly his Father's first wife)
Mary E. Scott, January 14, 1846-1858
Note how young some of them died. Chances for raising children to adulthood weren't so great back then.
Marthy E. Scott, December 9, 1849-December 13, 1858
Sarah A. Scott, May 12, 1851- March 28, 1872
James W. Scott, January 1853
John C. Scott, October 6, 1856
William H. Scott, November 1859
George B. M. Scott, August 18, 1862
George G. Scott, ?-February 2, 1887 (Possibly a full Brother who died as an infant)
Final anecdote: When Aunt Marcy finally talked Grandad into putting in for social security, they had a hell of a time because he'd never paid any FICA or filed income tax. He finally got some, but I have no idea how.
As a young man
This is how I remember him best. Always messing with his equipment.
Sitting by Aunt Linda, probably in the early 60s. My guess is that she'd just finished lecturing him about the beer and he'd replied: "Just tend to your own knitting there sister", which is what both he and Grandma Jane always called her.
Fording Spring River with an easy job. He also moved very huge houses.