Salem Cemetery Lot No. 20: A. S. Scott, Owner

Aaron S. and Elizabeth A. (Wells) Scott, if not Benton Township's first settlers at least among the earliest, buried an infant son, Henry T., on what now is Lot No. 20 during December of 1853. This is the earliest marked grave in the cemetery. Others buried on this lot as the years passed were Aaron and Elizabeth; two additional children of Aaron and Elzabeth, John C. and Hester A. Scott; and Elizabeth's parents, David and Lucy (Berry) Wells. These inscriptions were transcribed from north to south:

I Would Not Live Always

LUCY

Wife of

DAVID WELLS

DIED

Sept. 11, 1873

AGED

72y, 2ms

& 25ds

NARRATIVE: LUCY (BERRY) WELLS

By Frank D. Myers

Lucy Berry is identified in an 1895 memoir published by her nephew, John Marr Berry Jr., as the sixth of nine children born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, to Jesse and Anna (Miller) Berry. Various online references, none of which I've attempted to verify, give her birth date as 6 July 1801 although that date is not in agreement with a calculation based upon her age (72 years, 2 months and 25 days)at death (11 September 1873). Using these figures, a birth date of 17 June 1801 results. Unverified online sources give her date and place of marriage to David Wells as 9 January 1826 in Lincoln County.

In all likelihood, the Wells moved with other members of the extended Berry family to Indiana ca. 1830. When the 1850 federal census (dated 12 August for the Wells family) was taken they were living on a farm in Perry Township, Monroe County, Indiana: David Wells, 48; Lucy, 47; John F., 18; Thomas W., 15; Henry T., 11; Hester A., 8; Sarah S., 5; and Mary J. Holmes, 21, whose relationship to the household is unspecified.

By that time, a daughter and son-in-law, Aaron S. and Elizabeth A. (Wells) Scott, and son and daughter-in-law, Jesse Berry and Elizabeth (Whitson) Wells, had moved to Lucas County, Iowa, just then being settled. By 1856, when a special Iowa census was taken, David and Lucy and their three youngest children had moved to Lucas County, too. David, Lucy, Henry T., Hester A. and Susan were living on a farm in Chariton (now Lincoln) Township, perhaps not far from the Scotts in adjoining Benton Township. The 1856 census-takers asked respondents how long they had lived in Iowa and all of the Wells replied three years, suggesting the family left Indiana ca. 1853.

David Wells died in Lucas County on April 30, 1858, and was buried near the grave of Aaron and Elizabeth Scott's infant son, Henry T., who had died during December of 1853, in what became Salem Cemetery.

Soon thereafter, Lucy and her three youngest children moved one county west to Fremont Township, Clarke County, where they were living together on a farm with Henry T. as the principal farmer when the 1860 federal census of Clarke County was taken (Wells entry dated 16 June).

Lucy still was a resident of Fremont Township, living at age 69 with her son and daughter-in-law, John Fletcher and Catharine (Long) Wells, when the 1870 census of Clarke County was taken. She died on 11 September 1873, most likely in Clarke County, and her body was brought back to Salem for burial beside David.

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We Will Meet Again

DAVID

WELLS

DIED

Apr. 30, 1858

AGED

56y, 9m

& 11 ds

AARON S. SCOTT

Born Nov 21st 1826

Died Jan 8th 1899

DEATH NOTICE: AARON S. SCOTT

The Chariton Democrat, Jan. 13, 1899

Mr. Aaron Scott of Russell, one of the oldest residents of this county, and a brother of Mrs. J.A.J. Bentley of this city, died at his home last Monday morning after an extended illness. A more extended notice will appear next week. (The Chariton Democrat, 13 January 1899)

OBITUARY NO. 1: AARON S. SCOTT

The Chariton Patriot, Jan. 12, 1899

Died, on Sunday night with paralysis, at his home in Russell, Aaron Scott, in the seventy-third year of his age.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott came to Iowa from Monroe County, Indiana, in the spring of 1849; stopped off at Fairfield, remaining there through the summer. Since then they have resided in Benton township. Mr. and Mrs. Scott retired from active life and have resided in Russell the last few years. They were among the early settlers of Lucas county.

Mr. Scott came to Iowa without means and by his indomitable energy worked out successfully a fair competency, leaving all of his four children a good farm.

He was a member of the M.E. church, and in his long and active life was an upright and honorable citizen. He was buried Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services were held in Salem church, conducted by Rev. Ellett of Russell.

OBITUARY NO. 2: AARON S. SCOTT

The Chariton Democrat, Jan. 20, 1899

By the death of Aaron Scott, which occurred at his home in Russell on Monday morning, January 9, Lucas county lost one of her oldest and most highly regarded citizens. He had been ill for nearly two years with paralysis, and his death was not unexpected. Funeral services were held at the Salem church in Benton township on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. O.D. Ellett of Russell, after which the remains were interred in the Salem cemetery.

Aaron Salter Scott was born in Jackson county, Indiana, in November 1826. In 1847 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wells, who with four children survive him, and in their sorrow have the sympathy of many friends. Deceased with his family came to Iowa in 1849 and resided in Benton township until about five years agowhen he moved to Russell. For many years he had been a faithful member of the M.E. church. He was quiet and unassuming but agreeable at all times, and ever ready to discharge every duty in accordance with his convictions of right. He was a good man in every sense of the word and was greatly admired for his sterling qualities of mind and heart. The solid worth of the man, his good Judgment, his unselfishness and devotion to duty, his kindness of heart - these won for him staunch friends in every walk of life, whose faith in him never wavered. But his career is ended. His life record made up, and many hearts are saddened by the thought that he has been taken away. His was a noble nature and worthy of lasting remembrance.

ELIZABETH A. SCOTT

Born Oct 31st 1826

Died Aug 18th 1913

OBITUARY: ELIZABETH A. (WELLS) SCOTT

Mrs. Aaron Scott, one of the first settlers of Lucas county, passed away at the home of her son, Simon Scott, in Benton township, on Monday forenoon, August 18th, at 9 o'clock at the age of eighty-six years, nine months and nineteen days, after an extended illness with the infirmities due to old age. Largely attended funeral services, conducted by Rev. Shipman, of Russell, were held at the Salem church yesterday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery.

Elizabeth Wells was born in Tennessee on October 31st, 1826, moving a short time afterward with her parents to Kentucky. When still quite small she moved to Monroe county, Ind., near Bloomington. She was married there Sept. 7th, 1848, to Aaron Scott, who died in January, 1899. They came to Lucas county in 1848, about 65 years ago, and located on the farm in Benton township where they resided until Mr. Scott's death. Seven children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. John died at the age of twenty-two years and Mrs. Julia Carpenter passed away but a few years ago. Those surviving are Simon, of Benton township, David, of near Derby, and Mrs. Emma McCurdy of Bremen, Ohio. She was one of the early pioneers and perhaps one of the oldest residents of this county. She was a grand, good woman, devoted to her family and ever helpful to her neighbors and those about her. She numbered her friends by her acquaintances, and her demise will be deeply deplored by all who knew her. The sorrowing children and other relatives who survive will have the deep sympathy of the entire community. (Chariton Herald Patriot, 21 August 1913)

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JOHN C.

Son of

A.S. & E. SCOTT

Died

Dec. 22, 1872

AGED

23y, 5m, 15d

DEATH NOTICE: JOHN C. SCOTT
The Chariton Patriot, Dec. 25, 1872

John Scott died at his father's house, in Washington township, last Sunday, of typhoid fever. He was taken sixk at Indianola, where he was attending Simpson Centenary College. His age was about 24. He was a worthy young man.




HESTER A.
Dau of
A.S. & E.A. SCOTT
Died
Oct. 13, 1858
AGED
2y, 1m, 22d





HENRY T.
Son of
A.S. & E.A. SCOTT
Died
Dec. 14, 1853
AE 1m, 24d





THE AARON SALTER SCOTT FAMILY
Compiled by Frank D. Myers





Aaron Salter Scott often is described as the second settler in Benton Township. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Sutphin) Scott. Following Jacob's death in Jackson County, Indiana, Mary married as her second husband John Howard, with whom she came to Iowa during 1849,at approximately the same time her son and his wife did. Reportedly, there was only one house in Chariton when the Howards and the Scotts arrived.




Mary, born 29 July 1802, a daughter of J.I. and B. Sutphin, died 12 October 1850 at Chariton and was buried in a cemetery at the present site of Columbus School in Chariton. When that site became surrounded by the town, and the present Chariton Cemetery was developed, she was reburied there,reportedly the first person to be buried within its limits. Jacob and Mary Scott had at least two children in addition to Aaron. They were:




1. Annie M. Scott (26 December 1828-27 April 1915) who married John Andrew Jackson Bentley (14 February 1829-16 March 1916), the Chariton blacksmith. They are buried in the Chariton Cemetery.




2. Cyrus D. Scott (18 January 1831-22 February 1911) who married Eliza J. Wilson (14 February 1839-23 January 1925) in Lucas County. The Cyrus Scotts also lived in Benton Township, near Salem, but are buried in the Chariton Cemetery.


AARON SALTER SCOTT, son of Jacob and Mary (Sutphin) Scott
Born 21 November 1826
Jackson County, Indiana
Died 8 January 1899
Russell, Washington Township, Lucas County, Iowa
Buried: Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa

Married: ELIZABETH A. WELLS
Daughter of David and Lucy (Berry) Wells
Born 31 October 1826
In Tennessee
Died 18 August 1913
Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa
Buried: Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa
Date of marriage: 7 September 1848
Monroe County, Indiana

THEIR CHILDREN:





1. JOHN C. SCOTT, Born 7 July 1849, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 22 December 1872, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa. Did not marry.




2. DAVID J. SCOTT, Born 12 February 1851, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 20 April 1921, Derby, Union Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried: Derby Cemetery, Union Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Married (1) Mary Ellen Smith, 14 October 1872, Lucas County, Iowa; Married (2) Mabel Foutch, 24 November 1885, Lucas County, Iowa. See Lot No. 10 for David J. Scott's obituary.




3. JULIA H. SCOTT, Born 13 May 1852, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 9 May 1907, Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried Chariton Cemetery, Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa; Married George F. Carpenter, 19 March 1879, Lucas County, Iowa.




Julia Scott, the eldest daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Scott, was born in Benton township, Lucas county, Iowa, May 13, 1852, and died at her home on North Grand Street, Thursday, May 9, 1907, of dropsy of the heart. She was united in marriage to Geo. F. Carpenter, March 19, 1879. This union was blessed with two children, their son Ward living on the home place in Benton township, and their daughter May, who resides with her parents in Chariton. Beside her husband and children she leaves an aged mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, two brothers, David of Derby, and Simon, of Benton township, and one sister, Mrs. Emma McCurdy, to mourn her loss and who were all present to pay their last respects to one whose memory they will ever cherish. She was a woman of noble character, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. Before her marriage she was one of Lucas county's school teachers. She and her husband resided on their farm in Benton township for twenty-five years, moving to Chariton in 1903, where they might enjoy the fruits of their hard labor, and where they have since resided. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Saturday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock, by Rev. Evans, and the remains were laid to rest in the Chariton cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved family. (Clipping dated May 16, 1907, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection)




4. HENRY T. SCOTT, Born 20 October 1853, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 14 December 1853, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa. Henry's is the earliest marked grave at Salem.




5. HESTER A. SCOTT, Born 21 August 1856, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 13 October 1858, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa




6. EMMA SCOTT, Born 8 January 1859, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 18 June 1927, Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio; Buried Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio; Married John W. McCurdy, 23 October 1879 Lucas County, Iowa.




From a paper published at Bremen, Ohio, we take the following obituary, of Mrs. Emma McCurdy, who was a resident of this county many years ago and who was a sister-in-law to George F. Carpenter and also a sister-in-law to Mrs. Simon Scott, her death occurring a few weeks ago when her home was destroyed by fire and she was suffocated:

Emma Scott McCurdy, the youngest daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Scott, was born January 8, 1859, on a farm in Lucas County, Iowa, where she lived with her parents until she was married to John McCurdy on the 19th of October, 1879 (Note: Lucas County marriage records show that the marriage occurred on 23 October 1879). Her girlhood days were spent in the same county where she obtained her primary education in the public schools, and graduated from the high school at Russell, Iowa,
in 1877.

Early in life she became a convert to the Christian faith and took upon herself the vows of loyalty to the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she remained faithful all the days of her life.

With her husband she came to live in Bremen, Ohio, September 30, 1900, and spent the remainder of her days in this village, and passed away on June 18, 1927.

She was the last of her father's family. Two brothers, a sister, her father and mother, all passed on before her and in a better land and clime were awaiting her home coming. (Note: Emma also was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister and another brother, John C., who died in his early 20s; the siblings referred to in her obituary were David J., Simon and Julia H.).

She brought her membership to the local Methodist Episcopal church when she moved to Bremen, and gave many years of faithful service to the same. She organized and built the primary department in the local Sunday school, and for fifteen years was its superintendent. The good she did in those long years of turning and setting the youthful minds in the direction of God and His son, Jesus Christ, cannot be told now. Only in years far down the future's winding path to eternity, when, in the fulness of time, we gather round the great white throne to receive the reward to which we are entitled, shall we know the full extent of the value of her services.

She was buried from the Linville Funeral Parlors on Saturday morning by her minister, the Rev. J.S.Washburn, assisted by the Rev. F.W. Stephens, and Rev. John A. Siemen.

A profusion of flowers had been sent in by loving friends as a tribute to the memory of one held so dear, and those flowers, as a kind of request of hers, was taken to the church to decorate it for the Children's Day service the next day. It was most fitting and appropriate, since she loved children so, and so many in the congregation were thinking back to the days when she was their teacher in the Sunday school. (Undated clipping, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection)




7. SIMON ASBURY SCOTT, Born 1 December 1860, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Died 2 September 1918, Russell, Washington Township, Lucas County, Iowa; Buried Russell Cemetery, Washington Township, Lucas County; Married Lucy Ella Morris, 22 January 1885, Lucas County, Iowa.




Simon Asbury Scott was born on the old Scott homestead near Chariton, Iowa, on Dec. 1st, 1860. He spent all his life on this farm until March, 1914, when he retired from the farm and moved to Russell, Iowa.

He married Lucy Ellen Morris on Jan. 22, 1885. There are six children in the family, all living, and all were present at his bedside except Howard, who enlisted in the U.S. navy April 18, 1917.

Mr. Scott united with the Salem Methodist Episcopal church on the Russell charge in 1886. For many years he served this church in official capacity and was a faithful attendant and supporter of its services and enterprises.

He had been ill for about seven months, but with great courage and fortitude and the buoyancy of a remarkably hopeful and cheerful nature he was able to ignore the ravages of the terrible disease so that it has been but a few weeks that the public knew that he was really sick, then he passed rapidly away. He ceased at once to live and to work. He was of a jovial and sunny temperament and made a host of friends. Everything possible was done for his recovery but to no avail.

He died at his home in Russell, Sept. 2, 1918, at the age of 57 years, 9 months and 1 day. He leaves his wife, two sons, four daughters, seven grandchildren, one brother, David, of Derby, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Emma McCurdy of Bremen, Ohio; and many warm friends even to the extent of his acquaintance.

Among those present at the last sad rites were Mr. Zeddie Wells and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hamilton of Osceola; Dr. Robert Miller and his mother, Mrs. Rebecca Miller, of Albia; Wm. Hobson, of Mt. Pleasant. (The Chariton Leader, 5 September 1918)