Page:Pen Pictures of Representative Men of Oregon.djvu/164

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CAPTAIN L. S. SCOTT,

Tbe popular and efficient Postmaster at Salem, was born at Litchfield, Con- necticut, October 1, 1830. In 1832 the family moved to the Canada side of the Niatjara Falls, where his father kept a hotel until 1834, when he moved to Ohio, where he resided until 1843, when he moved to Illinois, and from there in 184G to Missouri. In 1848 the subject of our sketch drove a team to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and returning home in 1850, took the gold fever and started for California, crossing the plains with the ox team of that day and age. The greater portion of the next eleven years was spent in placer mining, in Volcano, Amador county. In 1861, on the breaking out of the civil war, Mr. Scott raised Company D, Fourth California Infantry Vol- unteers, and was appointed captain of the organization in September of that year. They were detailed for service in this State, and were transported hither on the steamer Cortez. The> were stationed at Fort Yamhill, and during the interval between 1861 and 1865 Captain Scott was at different times commander of that post. Fort Hoskins and the Siletz Block House. In July, 1865, his company was ordered to Eastern Oregon and established the post in Harney lake valley, known as Camp Curry. In December of that year the company was ordered to San Francisco, where it was mustered out of service. Captain Scott immediately • returned to Oregon, and he en- tered the general merchandising business in Portland, where he remained but a short time, going to Salem in 1866, where he has since continuously re- sided. In 1868 he was elected Mayor of that city, and was re-elected in 1869. In 1872 he was elected Sheriff of Marion county, which position he filled with great efficiency. In 1874 he was elected Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee by the State Convention of that year, which posi- tion he held until 1878. In 1878 he w^as elected a member of the House of Representatives. As a legislator he was active and untiring and watched carefully the interests of the county he represented. In 1879 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Salem, which position he still holds. As such officer, he is attentive, obliging and trustworthy, and gives universal satisfaction in the discharge of his official duties. He takes an active interest in politics, and is a pronounced and uncompromising Republican. He was married October 13, 1858, to Miss Eliza J. Erwin, of Volcano, Cal., and they have five children living. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the A. O. CJ. W. He is of ordinary height, well-biiilt, pleasant face, well covered with a gray beard, and socially speaking is genial, jovial and good-natured.


O. F. PAXTON.

Among the young men of this State who have, within the past few years, entered the ranks of the legal profession, none have brighter indications of success than does he whose name heads this sketch. He is energetic, in- dustriouK and ambitious. These qualities, combined with the advantages derived from an excellent education, unusual natural capacities, and a high sense of honor, place him at once among the foremost ranks of his profes- sion. He was born in Albany, Oregon, January 4, 1858, and attended the pubhc schools and the Albany College Institute until 1868, when