1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

ABRAHAM SCOUTON,                                                         Jefferson Twp and town of Laclede, 622

son of David and Angelina Scouton, was born in Onondaga county, New York, October 28, 1820, where he grew to manhood, being reared on a farm and educated at the Fayetteville schools, in his native county.  His grandfather was a captain in the war of the Revolution, and his father a captain in the War of 1812.  The latter was wounded in the battle of York, while leading his company in a charge, in storming the fort.  The subject of this sketch, at the age of  twenty-one years, was engaged in some public works, and became superintendent for contractors in the construction of several Eastern railroads.  At the breaking out of the Mexican War he enlisted in the Fifth Infantry Regiment, and in February, 1847, was appointed by President Polk second lieutenant of Company D, Tenth Regiment, Infantry.  He participated in the battles of Monterey, Buena Vista, an was at the capture of Mier, at which place he filled the position of post quartermaster and commissary for ten months.  When the war closed his regiment returned to New York, where he was honorably discharged.  At the beginning of the California gold excitement, in 1849, he went to that State on the first steamer that left New York City.  He followed mining in California eighteen months, then returned to his native State and engaged in farming for awhile.  After this he had the contract for building bridges on the Erie Canal, and in 1857, constructed fourteen miles double track of the New York Central Railroad.  In 1859, he again engaged in farming, which he continued until 1865, when he was appointed by the Governor of New York as superintendent of the sixth section of the Erie Canal.  This position he held six years, meanwhile being engaged in merchandizing in Fayetteville, which latter occupation he followed until 1876.  A year later he removed to Linn county, Missouri, where he now resides and owns a fine farm of 400 acres, well improved, and adorned with a splendid residence.  There are also a fine barn, eighty head of cattle and other stock in proportion.  His farm and improvements have cost him over $12,000.  When Mr. Scouton purchased this farm, in 1877, it was wild prairie land.  Now it will compare favorably with any farm.  In 1881 he raised seventy bushels of oats per acre on it.  Mr. Scouton was married in 1851, to Miss Adaline Richmond, daughter of Jacob and Esther (nee Clark) Richmond, of Onondaga county New York.  She died in 1865.  There were by this union four children; namely Fowler H., Henry R., Lillie V., and William A.  Mr. S. was again married in 1868, to Mrs. Jane Cox, formerly a Miss Blanchard, daughter of John and Vancy (nee Hiscock) Blanchard, of Onondaga county, New York, and a cousin of the Honb. Hiscock, a member of Congress from that State.  By this union there is one child, Glenn A.

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Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2008.  All Rights Reserved.