Robert Scott, one of the substantial business men of Elizabeth, is the proprietor of the leading meat-market of the place, and enjoys a large and lucrative trade. He is a native of Scotland, born in Fifeshire Oct. 22, 1831, being the only son born to his parents, Mitchell and Ann (Pride) Scott.

Our subject received an excellent education in the schools of Edinburgh, and for two years was a student at the school of Professor George Combe, the celebrated phrenological lecturer of that city. When thirteen years of age our subject began shoemaking, at which trade he served an apprenticeship of five years, and for a short time afterward followed his occupation in his native country as a journeyman. Not being satisfied with his future prospects in Scotland, our subject, accompanied by his wife, emigrated to America in 1852, taking passage at Glasgow on a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of eight weeks, landed in New York City. -They came at once to Jo Daviess County and he opened a shoe-store in Elizabeth, which he operated for a number of years, also carrying on cobbling in connection with the management of his store. He was successful in that business, and being a man of much ability and enterprise, in 1859 he opened a meat-market, and carried on both store meat-market and for a number of years. Mr. Scott subsequent!}' sold his shoe-store and has since confined himself entirely to his present business, which is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, and yields him a good annual income. Our subject is widely and favorably known throughout the county, having, probably, been engaged in business in Elizabeth a longer time than anyone now residing in the village.

Before leaving his native country our subject was united to Miss Catherine Smith, their marriage having been in August. 1851. She was born in Scotland in March, 1832, being a daughter of George and Catherine (Drummond) Smith. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Scott has been blessed by the birth of nine children, four of whom are still living, namely: Christina, wife of Josiah Klegg. of Colorado; Robert, Kate, and Mary.

Mr. Scott is a wide-awake man, bearing a high character for sterling integrity, and is quite prominently identified with the interests of the community in which he lives, and has actively assisted in the development of this portion of the county. He never seeks official positions, and though frequently solicited to accept various township offices, has nearly always refused nomination, but he has, however, served on the village board of trustees, and as president of that board, gave universal satisfaction. He is a stanch advocate of temperance, voting always with the Prohibitionists, and takes much interest in the Women's Christian Temperance Union of this place, in which organization his daughters. Mary and Kate, are leading spirits; the former being associate editor of the Women's Christian Temperence Union column of the Elizabeth Sews. Our subject and his family are enrolled among the cultured, refined, and most worthy citizens of this village, and in their daily lives exemplify in a marked manner the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are members, and of which Mr. Scott is Trustee.

In connection with this brief resume of the life of our subject, we must not omit to speak of his wonderful record as a checker-player. Anyone familiar with this game is aware that it requires a keen, well-balanced intellect, and a clear head to play it successfully and scientifically. That Mr. Scott possesses these requirements in a high degree is shown by the fact that he has been the winner in the man}* remarkable contests with the noted players of the world. When but a boy he won a contest between himself and Drummond, a Scotchman, who is considered authority on the game the world over, and is author of "Drummond's Theory on Checkers;" and he also played Wylie, a noted Scotch player. Mr. Scott has also played with many of the professional checker-players of this country, and in 1873 won the checker tournament, in which the champion players of the three States, Iowa. Wisconsin and Illinois, took part, and secured the prize, a very handsome black-walnut stand checker-board, probably the most beautiful of its kind in the country, valued at £50. Our subject desires to have it published that for the next ten years, he is ready to accept challenges from any champion checker-player in the world, for a series of games; the winner of the games to receive as premium his valuable checker-board. Many competitors who are considered experts have already contested for this stand, but it still remains in the undisputed possession of our subject. A number of years ago, Mr. Scott published a challenge to all checker-players of this country, or any other, that he would present fifty dollars toward defraying expenses of anyone who would come to Elizabeth and play against him a series of games; the winner to have the stand. Our subject is without any doubt the champion checker-player of the world, and well able to compete with any other professional in the game. He is also a gentleman in every sense implied by the term, and the biographer found him to be one of the most affable, genial, and canny Scotchmen it has been his pleasure to meet in a lifetime, spent largely' in traveling.

Transcribed & Contributed by Christine Walters Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889),