Los Angeles County
Biographies
JOSEPH SCOTT
Joseph Scott, lawyer, was born in Penrith, England, in 1867; son of Joseph and Mary (Donnelly). He was educated at Ushaw College, Durham, England, one of his contemporaries being Cardinal Hinsley, another Wilfred Ward, the biographer of Cardinal Newman; also studied at London University, England. Degrees (A.M) St. Bonaventure’s College, Allegheny, New York, 1893, and Gaudete Medal, 1928: (Ph.D), Santa Clara University, California, 1907; (LL.D.) University of Notre Dame, Indiana, 1915 and Laetare Medal, 1918; (LL.D.) Georgetown University, 1936.
Mr. Scott Came to the United States in 1889 with a letter of introduction to John Boyle O’Reily(sic), editor of the Boston Pilot. After working as a common laborer, he received a position as Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the Franciscan College at St. Bonaventure, Allegheny, New York, where he remained until 1893.
He removed to Los Angeles, California, in 1893 and was admitted to the California bar in 1894. He was nominated for United States Senator in 1910 but declined the nomination; nominated Herbert Hoover for President of the United States in 1943; honorary vice president of Panama P.I. Exposition, San Francisco, 1915; member of Charter Revision Committee, 1902; chairman of Los Angeles Boys’ Week Committee since 1931; chairman of Citizens Committee for the Arm and Navy, Inc.; director of United Service Organizations, Los Angeles War Chest.
Mr Scott served as a member of the Los Angeles City School Board for ten years, five of which he was president of same; past president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and one of the founders; president of the Los Angeles Community Chest for three years; voted by the Los Angeles Realty Board to be the recipient of the gold watch for Los Angeles’ most useful citizen, 1931, during which time he served as chairman of the Los Angeles County Relief Committee. He was appointed speaker at International Eucharistic Congresses at Chicago, 1926; Buenos Aires, 1936; Manila, 1937; and Budapest, 1938. He is regarded as the father of the Knights of Columbus in California, being its first State Deputy in 1903; made nationwide tours lecturing under the auspices of the Supreme Board of the Knights of Columbus.
He has been decorated by Pope Pius XI, Knight of St. Gregory, promoted by Pope Benedict SV to be Knight Commander of St. Gregory with diplomatic star, and by Pope Pius XII a Private Chamberlain with cape.
His activities in the Irish cause have extended over fifty years. He is the oldest living member of the Los Angeles Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians (president forty-five years ago), and has been in every Irish movement in the country. He headed up the stirring days of 1919 when Eamon de Valera then “on the run” from Ireland, visited California. Mr. Scott is a member of the Los Angeles, California State and American Bar Associations; and the following clubs: California, Newman, Sunset (president, 1923-24), Uplifters, Los Angeles Athletic and Pasadena Athletic.
Mr. Scott married Bertha Roth on June 6, 1898. They have six surviving children and eighteen grandchildren. Two of his sons were ordained priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, one recently deceased. The oldest son, A. A. Scott is Judge of Supreme Court, in charge of Juvenile Department. The family residence is at 1199 South Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena, California.
Offices: 786-791 Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Building, Los Angeles, California.
Transcribed 11-28-13 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Eminent
Californians 1953, by Lee E. Johnson & C. W. Taylor. Pages 161-162, C. W. Taylor
Publ., Palo Alto, California, 1953.
© 2013 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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BIOGRAPHIES