George Cromwell Scott

George Cromwell Scott (August 8, 1864 – October 6, 1948) was a United States Representative from Iowa's 11th congressional district for just over four years, and was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

George Cromwell Scott
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
In office November 1, 1943 – October 6, 1948
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
In office February 21, 1922 – November 1, 1943
Appointed by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Henry Thomas Reed
Succeeded by	Henry Norman Graven
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 11th district
In office March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1919
Preceded by	Thomas J. Steele
Succeeded by	William D. Boies
In office November 5, 1912 – March 3, 1915
Preceded by	Elbert H. Hubbard
Succeeded by	Thomas J. Steele
Personal details
Born	August 8, 1864 Kendall, New York
Died	October 6, 1948 (aged 84) Sioux City, Iowa
Resting place	Graceland Park Cemetery Sioux City, Iowa
Political party	Republican
Education	read law

Education and career

Born near East Kendall (now Morton), an unincorporated hamlet in the Town of Kendall, Monroe County, New York,[1] Scott's mother died when he was two years old, and his father died when he was five.[2] After being raised by his uncle, Scott moved to Iowa in 1880, when he was sixteen, to live with other relatives.[2] He attended the country schools and the high school at Dallas Center, Iowa. He taught school while studying the equivalent of a full college course load under the tutilege of his wife, Laura.[2] After studying law while working for a law firm in Adel, Iowa,[2] he was admitted to the bar in 1887 and commenced practice in Le Mars, Iowa in 1888. He moved to Sioux City, Iowa in 1901 and continued the practice of law.[2]

Congressional service

In January 1912, Scott announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives seat in Iowa's 11th congressional district, which was then held by fellow Republican Elbert H. Hubbard.[3] Hubbard defeated Scott in the June 3 primary, but died the following day.[4] A nominating convention in July 1912 gave Scott the nomination over state senator L.E. Francis. Upon defeating Democratic and Bull Moose Party challengers in the general election, Scott was immediately sworn to fill the remainder of Hubbard's term in the 62nd United States Congress.[1] Scott then served another full term in the 63rd United States Congress.[1] In 1914 Scott was renominated by the Republicans for a second full term, but was upset in the general election by Democrat Thomas J. Steele.[5] Explained one rural newspaper, "the central feature of the Steele campaign was personal solicitation of votes and personal publicity concerning the candidate."[6] By contrast, "Mr. Scott remained in Washington until ten days before the election and put in only one week of campaigning."[7] However, Scott ran again two years later, and recaptured his seat from Steele in one of the closest election in House history (winning by 4 votes in an election finally settled by the House itself).[1]

He was not a candidate for renomination in 1918.[1] In all, Scott served in Congress from November 5, 1912, to March 3, 1915, and from March 4, 1917 to March 3, 1919.[1] After leaving Congress, Scott resumed the practice of law in Sioux City.[1]

Federal judicial service

Scott was nominated by President Warren G. Harding on February 16, 1922, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa vacated by Judge Henry Thomas Reed.[8] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 21, 1922, and received his commission the same day.[8] He assumed senior status on November 1, 1943.[8] His service terminated on October 6, 1948, due to his death in Sioux City.[8] He was interred in Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City.[1]

References

1. "George Cromwell Scott". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. "Hon. Geo. C. Scott," The Hull Index, 1912-08-02 at p. 1.
3. "Wants Hubbard's Place," Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, 1912-01-19, at p. 5.
4. "Death Claims Congressman," Waterloo Evening Courier, 1912-06-05 at p.1.
5. "Eleventh Iowa Elects a Demo," Waterloo Evening Courier, 1914-11-04 at p. 1.
6. "Steel [sic] Victory Most Certain," Hospers Tribune, 1914-11-06 at p. 2.
7. "How Eleventh Was Lost," The Cedar Rapids Republican, 1914-11-08 at p. 20 (quoting the Sioux City Journal).
8. George Cromwell Scott at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

• "George Cromwell Scott". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• George Cromwell Scott at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.