Herbert D. Scofield, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Herbert D. Scofield
HERBERT D. SCOFIELD. The ability which is developed in an active business life, in commercial transactions, and the rapid changes and fluctuations of trade, have proved in practice as valuable in the management of public affairs as that which comes from the exclusive study of law. The accomplished merchant is more likely to take a plain, common-sense view of matters of public importance, and to be unembarrassed by the superfine distinctions and definitions of the lawyer than the man who has been trained in the school of precedent and authorities. To this class of business men belongs Herbert D. Scofield, and the signal services he is rendering his city and county are due to the eminently practical and sensible constitution of his mind and to the thoroughness of his business training. Mr. Scofield, who is one of the leading merchants and the postmaster of Crisman, and a member of the council of Porter county, was born in Cook county, Illinois, February 22, 1860, and is a son of John and Emma (Montrose) Scofield.
When he was only seven years of age Mr. Scofield was taken by Burrill Hall to a farm near Crisman, in Porter county, and there he was reared to agricultural pursuits and educated in the common schools. When he had reached his majority he was sent out to make his own way in the world, and for ten years was employed as a telegrapher and agent at Crisman for the Michigan Central Railroad. Seeing the need and opportunity for a merchandise business at this place, in 1892 he purchased a small stock of well-chosen goods and established himself as a merchant, and from time to time has added to his stock until he is now the proprietor of a large general store. In building up this enterprise Mr. Scofield has been kept busy, but he has not given his whole attention to the one line, as he is also the owner of a farm of seventy acres, from which he ships large quantities of sand to the steel works. Notwithstanding his extensive business interests he has yet found time to devote to the public welfare of his county and city, and has well proven that not alone in business matters is he a pre-eminently capable man; but rather, as hinted in the commencement of this sketch, he has been all the better qualified for public office because of his consummate business proficiency. Since 1893 he has served as postmaster at Crisman, and he now acts in the capacity of county councilman of Porter county. In all matters of public enterprise and improvement he has ever taken an active part, contributing freely of his time to the advancement and building up of his community. As a Republican he is regarded as one of the strong men by the leaders of the organization here and has steadfastly worked in the interests of the "Grand Old Party." Fraternally he is a popular member of Calumet Lodge, No. 379, A. F. & A. M., of the I. O. F., No. 11, and of the I. O. O. F. at Wheeler, and he and his family are highly esteemed as members of the McCool Methodist Episcopal church.
On May 30, 1883, Mr. Scofield was married to Miss Mattie Humphrey, who was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, there educated, and for a time was engaged in teaching school. They have had six children: Burl, who married Fannie Burbank; Lawrence, who married Effie Blake; Howard, who married Hattie Sadenwater; Bessie, who is attending high school; and Hartzell and Robert, who are students in the graded schools.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 736-737
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook