(Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920)

Josiah Scott, deceased, was a resident of Menan and was closely associated with farming interests and with the important problems of irrigation, contributing much to the development of the state along those lines. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 20, 1854, a son of John and Elizabeth E. (Menary) Scott, who were natives of Ireland and of Canada respectively. The father resided for a time at Palmyra, New York, and while there embraced the Mormon faith. He went to Utah in 1848, making the journey across the plains with ox teams, settling first at Salt Lake and later at Millcreek. four miles to the south. He subsequently removed to the Cache valley, where he spent his life as a practical, progressive farmer. His wife passed away in December, 1886.

With the father's death the support of the widowed mother and the children of the family devolved upon Josiah Scott, who when but fourteen years of age began hauling lumber, which he took from Gardner's sawmill to Salt Lake City with his own team, taking a contract for hauling at so much per thousand feet. He was thus engaged until he reached the age of twenty-six and in' the meantime he worked also upon the home farm. In 1880 he removed to Idaho and engaged in freighting between this state and various Montana points. He then secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres two miles east of Menan, in Jefferson county, on Poole's island. He early took a most active interest in the vital question of irrigation and became a stockholder in the Long Island Irrigation Canal Company, assisting in the construction of the canal. He was one of the directors of the company from its organization and served as its president for several years. In the conduct of his private business interests he was very successful and purchased an additional forty acres of land, so that he became the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres, which he splendidly improved, placing the entire tract under a high state of cultivation. He was one of the pioneers in the matter of raising potatoes in Idaho and the family still enjoys the reputation of producing the best potatoes in the country and have sent seed potatoes to Niagara Falls and other eastern cities. Mr. Scott continued in active farm work until his death, which occurred in February, 1916, after an illness of two months.

On the 24th of June, 1886, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Mary Walton, a daughter of George and Catherine (Hawley) Walton. She was born September 14, 1863. Her father was a native of England and her mother was born in Holland. On coming to America her father settled in Salt Lake City, being among the first of the Mormons to colonize Utah, where he arrived about 1848. There he engaged in farming throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1905, while the mother of Mrs. Scott passed away in 1909.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott had a family of ten children, namely: Laura, who was born March 30, 1887; Albert J., born July 30, 1888; Walter A., March 20, 1890; Orson M., February 20, 1892; Charles S., December 15, 1893; Clarence L.. May 24, 1895; Irma S., February 9, 1897; Vera E., who was born December 22, 1899, and died in January, 1914; Arthur E., who was born in September, 1901; and Lloyd E., born June 21, 1908.

In religious faith Mr. Scott was connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in politics was a republican. He served for seven years as a school trustee and was very active in public matters, aiding in every plan or project tending to develop and upbuild the county. His pioneer activities and his efforts along agricultural lines constituted an important element in the growth and progress of his section of the state.