JOHN E. SCOTT is a practical young farmer, who lives on section 22, township 15, range 11, and is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres, which possesses all the requisites of a well-improved place. He lives on the old homestead, and here has been his residence since he was five years old.

Mr. Scott was born in the township where he resides, on Aug. 14, 1847. His father, John Scott, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came of British ancestry. he was the son of Zachariah Scott, who was also a native of Yorkshire, and who married Elizabeth Moody. After marriage, Zachariah Scott began life in Yorkshire as a farmer, and there all his children were born - five sons. John Scott, his son, was fourteen years old when the entire family, in 1830, came to America, finding a home in Morgan County, Ill., where they purchased a quarter-section from the Government, which has belonged to the family since. Zachariah Scott lived and died on the farm he secured from Uncle Sam, being at the time of his death about forty-seven years of age. He was brought up under the teachings of the Church of England, and was well known as a good neighbor and a typical pioneer. His wife survived him about ten years, having died in 1847. She was then past fifty years of age. John Scott, the father of our subject, was the eldest of five children. In 1837 he became of age, and about this time married Miss Elizabeth Denby, who was a native of Yorkshire, England, and daughter of Thomas Denby, and sister of Thomas Denby, Jr. (For a fuller family biography, see sketch of Thomas Denby, Jr.)

Elizabeth Scott was yet quite young when her parents arrived in this county, and she lived here continuously until her death, which occurred in 1878, and left behind her the record which attaches to a good and intelligent woman. She was sincerely mourned by all her acquaintances, and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Scott died at his home, April 16, 1863. He was born Oct. 22, 1816, and was a very successful man of affairs, and a worthy citizen. He was a Methodist, and took great interest in his Church. John Scott and wife had nine children - seven sons and two daughters. John E. is the fourth son and fourth child. Of the family, six are living, and all are married.

John E. Scott was reared and educated in the township where he now lives, gaining his education in the common schools. He was married here to Miss Agnes M. Allen, who was born in Jacksonville, Ill., June 21, 1856. She is the daughter of Peter F. and Jane P. (Dunlap) Allen, who were natives of Scotland, and there were married, and their first child was also born there. When they came to the United States they settled in this county, and have always lived either at Jacksonville or their present home, on a farm, which is situated in township 14, range 11. They have had eight children, two now deceased. Mrs. Scott was the third child of the family, and was well and intelligently trained from childhood up. She is the mother of three children - Bessie D., Della M. and Allen E.

Since marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scott have lived at their present home, and here they enjoy life as those do who are conscious of well-doing. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Scott, politically, is a sound Democrat.