Fielding L. Scott
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
FIELDING L. SCOTT. None among the many prominent citizens of Champaign county are better or more favorably known than Judge Scott. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January 27th, 1807, and was the second child of Patrick and Anna (CAMPBELL) SCOTT. His father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather of Scotland. His mother was born in Ireland, and came to this country when a child with her parents. In 1778, his father, together with about twenty other families, emigrated to Kentucky. They proceeded down the Ohio in flat-boats. They were prevented by Indians from landing, until they reached Louisville, which they did upon an island, and immediately set to work, clearing and planting it in corn. Their provisions giving out, his grandfather, with three others, effected a landing, and went 90 miles to Boonsboro, for relief and supplies.
Soon after Mr. Scott located land about 20 miles from Boonsboro,---what is now Bourbon county, where he died in 1806 (?). His son Patrick, also died there in 1854. The early life of Judge Scott was spent on his father's farm. In 1827, September 18th, he married Julia A. HERRIOTT. In 1830, with one child, they started to Illinois. Arriving at the Grand chain in the Wabash, they were delayed, and compelled to resume their journey overland, Mrs. Scott riding on horseback. The snow was knee-deep. They travelled all day through a wilderness, when Mr. Scott, becoming exhausted, mounted behind his wife, and fortunately reached shelter. They soon after bought a farm in Vermillion county, where they resided six years, when they removed to their present home. Through all trials and adversity, Mr. Scott bravely contended, and has with his own hands, never forgetting his wife's invaluable aid, hewn for himself an honorable name and competency.
During the war he was a staunch Union man, and gave two sons to the service of his country; one of whom was killed at Kenesaw Mountain, and the other has thirteen scars from as many bullet wounds, as an evidence of his patriotism.