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THOMAS W. SCOTT, merchant, Fairfield, was born February 1, 1842, in Danville, Ill. His parents, John J. Scott and Mary A. Roland, the former a native of Hardy County, Va., and the latter of Maysville, Ky. His father died in 1856, and the year following. he came  to Olney, Ill., where he attained his manhood. He received a common school education in the public schools of Danville and Olney.  In April, 1861, he enlisted in the three months services as a member of Company D, Eighth Illinois Infantry, from which he was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. In July of 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Regiment. While a member of this organization, he participated in a large number of active engagements, in which he won the distinction of a competent leader and a brave soldier. He was raised to the position of Captain of Company K, in 1863, and succeeded signally in gaining the confidence and esteem of those under his command.  Among the last acts of the martyred President Lincoln was the signing of the appointment of Mr. Scott to the rank of Major, which was done in recognition of his bravery in the engagement at Selma, Ala.  At  the close of the war, Mr. Scott returned to Olney, Ill., where for two years . he was engaged in the mercantile business and was then employed as a traveling salesman and  remained on the road for three years, in the meantime establishing a dry goods business in Fairfield, Ill.  He came to the latter place in 1874, and has remained since, conducting a large and prosperous business. He is the present Postmaster of Fairfield, to which office he was appointed in 1880. He exerts a very potent influence in the political arena, which benefits are enjoyed by the Republican party. He has been a member of the Republican State Central Committee since 1877. He is a member of the Fairfield Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M, Fairfield Chapter, No. 179, R. A. M.; Gorin Commandery, No. 14, K. T.  and the Peoria Consititory, S.P. R. S.    Mr. Scott was married in Olney, Ill., September 26, 1865, to Miss Mary R. Spring eldest daughter of Henry and Caroline R. Spring, of Olney, where she was born, being the first child born in Olney. Their family consists of two daughters - Carrie and Alice Scott.