GEORGE SCOTT

 

George Scott was a California pioneer who possessed in pronounced degree the sterling characteristics of the typical Scotsman, and his ability and well-ordered activities caused him to give worthy aid in connection with civic and material development and progress in the city and state of his adoption.

 

     Mr. Scott was born in Dundee, Scotland, on the sixth of June, 1825, and was reared and educated in his native land.  He was a young man of energy and ambition when he numbered himself among the gallant California pioneers of the memorable year 1849, which marked the discovery of gold and ushered in the splendid development of this favored commonwealth.  For a short time he was engaged in the hotel business in San Francisco, and he then became one of the leading contractors and builders in the vital little city.  He had the architectural skill that enabled him to draw plans and specifications for the buildings which he erected, and was the builder of the first sugar refinery in San Francisco, for the George Gordon Co.  Also he was the contractor in the construction of many of the old and famous buildings in San Francisco, where substantial success attended his activities and where he accumulated a large amount of valuable real estate.  He was a member of the first Vigilante Committee in the early '50s.  Mr. Scott continued his residence in San Francisco until his death, he having passed away when about forty-three years of age in 1868 and his wife when about seventy-three years of age on July 2, 1899. 

 

     In Scotland was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Scott to Miss Grace (Campbell) MacDougall, a cousin of the Duke of Argyle who married Princess Louise, and whose brother, Robert MacDougall, was a justice of the Supreme Court of Sydney, Australia.  Concerning Mr. and Mrs. Scott's children brief record is here given:  George Robert, the first born, is deceased; Mary C., who still resides in San Francisco, is the widow of Henry Calvin Gay.  Mr. Gay was born in the State of Vermont, a representative of a colonial family in New England, and as a young man he went forth from the Green Mountain State to do valiant service as a Union soldier in the Civil war.  He served during virtually the entire period of conflict and took part in many engagements, including a number of the major battles.  Within a comparatively short time after the war Mr. Gay came to California and established his residence in San Francisco, and in this city his death occurred when he was fifty-two years of age.  He was a citizen of influence and high standing and became an honored member of George H. Thomas Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.  Was a member of the Yerba Buena Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the oldest Odd Fellows lodge in the state.  The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gay was solemnized in 1871, and of their eight children all are living except the seventh, Calvin T., who left two daughters, Delma Frances and Grace Audrey.  The surviving children are: George R.,who is vice president of the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co.  He married Miss Eva Worth, a daughter of Charles A. Worth, of the Worth Dredging Co., and they have one daughter, Marjorie; Grace is the wife of Dr. Frank A. Lowe of San Francisco, a graduate of the medical department of the southern branch of the University of California.  He is a native of San Miguel and the son of prominent pioneer residents of Southern California; Frank Henry, who is a member of the Gay Drug Company of San Francisco.  Is a member of San Francisco bodies of the Scottish Rite, Islam Shrine and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Edward P., who is married and is the father of one son, Ronald.  Edward, with his brothers, Lewis D. and William T., are engaged in mechanical lines; Lewis D.; Jane, widow of Frank A. Gamble, and is the mother of two children, Hamilton G. and Barbara Jean; William T. and Grace, wife of Dr. Frank A. Lowe.

 

Transcribed by Marilyn R. Pankey.