ALBERT W. SCOTT 

Albert W. Scott.—For nearly twenty-five years Mr. Scott has represented the hay and grain interests of San Francisco. A native of New England, born in the Green Mountain State, he descended from an ancestry of agriculturists, some of whom were numbered among the early settlers of Vermont. There Mr. Scott passed his boyhood, improving the educational facilities of the day, and acquiring habits of industry and integrity, which are the inheritance of the all New England’s sons. 

At the age of twenty he started out in life, leaving the comforts of home for the hard ships of pioneer life in the undeveloped State of California. At New York he took passage for San Francisco via Cape Horn, arriving there September 19, 1852, after a voyage of eight months. 

Mr. Scott went to the mines on Feather river and followed mining about one year, with good success; but, not liking the business, he returned to the occupation of his boyhood. Renting land in Alameda county, he engaged in general farming, and continued thus employed until 1857. He then returned to San Francisco and secured a clerkship in the office of C. L. Place, a hay and grain commission business, corner of Folsom and Stewart streets, and there laid the foundation for his later experiences. In 1863 he purchased an interest, and the business continued under the firm name of C. L. Place & Co. In 1875 Mr. Place sold his interest to Captain A. S. Hall, and the firm of Scott & Hall was formed. About this time the business had so increased that greater facilities were required, and in 1877 they purchased their present location, Pier No. 21, Stewart street, and No. ___ East street, where they were better prepared to meet the demands of their increased business. In 1881 Mr. Hall sold his interest to John McCord, and the present firm of Scott & McCord was organized. They purchase hay and grain and also do a commission business, buying large quantities in the vicinity of the bay and on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and carrying an average stock amounting to $50,000. Several vessels for transportation in the bay and river trade, and another large warehouse on Berry and Seventh streets, are now used in the business. They are also large shippers to the Sandwich Islands and Mexico, and to the lumber districts of Puget Sound. 

Mr. Scott married Miss Georgia C. Smith, of San Francisco. Her father, George W. Smith, a pioneer of California, was one of San Francisco’s most prominent men. 

Mr. Scott is a member of California Lodge, No. 1, and of the Golden Gate Encampment, I. O. O. F.; of Valley Lodge, A. O. U. W., and of Pacific Lodge, San Francisco Chapter and of California Commandery, F. &. A. M. In public, as in private life, he has performed his duty faithfully. He was a member of the Board of Education in 1875 and 1876, and in 1877 was elected Supervisor on the People’s ticket, and again, by the Republicans, in 1881. He has been prominent in the Republican party since his first arrival in the State. He has also been a dealer in real estate, being largely interested in improved residence and business property, and built his present residence at 305 Buchanan street. Mr. Scott justly deserves the position accorded him as one of the representative men of San Francisco. 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, page 517-518, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.