Alvin Scott Jr.

Naperville Village President/Mayor, 1903 thru 1907. During his term as mayor, waterworks were installed which led to a sewerage system, and then the streets were paved.

He also served Euclid Lodge as Senior Warden in 1890 and 1891, as Treasurer in 1908, 1909, and 1910, as Senior Deacon in 1897, and as Senior Steward in 1905 and 1906.

Scott, Alvin. In these days when business honesty appears to be at a discount, and many public officials traffic with their honor, those whose integrity is unquestioned and whose attitude toward the world is that of kindly friendliness, stand out in distinctive prominence. No one throughout DuPage County stands higher as an honorable business man, and loyal friend than Alvin Scott, affectionately called "Bay" by nearly all who know him, insurance and real estate agent of Naperville. Mr. Scott was born in this city, January 20, 1864, a son of Alvin and Emeline (Gould) Scott, the former also born in Naperville, and the latter in the county. The elder Mr. Scott was a merchant and a man of substance, who was among the earlier business men of Naperville.

Alvin Scott, the younger attended the public schools of Naperville, and the North Western College, and when he left the latter institution he entered the employ of Willard Scott & Co., bankers, March 1, 1881. He remained with this firm until it was dissolved, in October, 1907, since which time he has conducted an insurance and real estate office in the premises formerly occupied by the bank. Mr. Scott represents many of the leading fire and life insurance companies, and handles some of the most desirable city and county realty, his record being such that he is chosen upon numerous occasions to act as executor and trustee of estates, those thus confiding in him fully realizing that their trust will be conscientiously justified. He owns two dwellings on Chicago Avenue, including No. 122.

Mr. Scott is a strong Democrat and has been on his party's ticket a number of times, carrying it to success. In April 1903, he was elected Mayor of Naperville, and re-elected in 1905. He was Supervisor in Lisle Township for a portion of one year to complete his father's term of office after the latter's death in 1907.

An enthusiastic Mason, he belongs to Euclid Lodge No. 65, A.F. & A.M., Euclid Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., Aurora Commandery No. 22, Oriental Consistory of Chicago, and Medinah Temple of the same city. For five terms he served as Master of Euclid Lodge, and is now occupying that position. He has filled all the other offices at different times and is Past High Priest of Euclid Chapter. Early in life he joined the Congregational Church.

On January 17, 1888, Mr. Scott was married in Chicago to Elizabeth Wilson, born in that city August 3, 1868, a daughter of J.J. and Jane Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a soldier in the Civil War, serving for four years. One son, Robert Willard Scott, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott on February 18, 1889, and was just budding into young manhood when death claimed him April 4, 1907. This domestic tragedy cast a shadow over all of Naperville where the lads blameless life had been spent, and where he was universally loved. Such a loss belongs to the unexplained sorrows of life, which cannot be understood by finite minds.

There are men who become such a vital part of business, civic and social life that their going means not only a personal bereavement to the few but a most noticeable loss to the entire community. In the death of Alvin Scott, Naperville and vicinity feels such a loss. Born in Naperville January 20th, 1864, a son of Alvin Sr. and Emeline (Gould) Scott, "Bay", as he was affectionately called by nearly all who knew him, spent his sixty-two years of very active life in this city.

His progenitors had to do with the early history of this vicinity and his great-grandfather, Stephen J. Scott, removed from Maryland to Illinois in 1825 and settled near Gros Point, Cook County, which embraced at that time the county of DuPage. While on a hunting trip in August, 1830, with his son Willard he discovered the DuPage River near Plainfield and since that time the Scott family has been prominent in the affairs of Naperville and vicinity.

The Scotts were business men and Willard Scott Sr., and Alvin Scott Sr., both deceased, were among the pioneer merchants here, following them came Willard Scott Jr., still living here, and Alvin Scott Jr., just deceased, the subject of this sketch.

Alvin Scott attended the public schools of Naperville and North Western College. In March, 1881, he entered the employ of Willard Scott & Co. Bankers (established in 1854) as a lad of seventeen and continued there until this business was sold to the First National Bank of Naperville in 1907. Since 1907 Mr. Scott has headed an insurance and real estate business in the premises formerly occupied by the bank. At the present time the firm is known as Scott, Egermann & Lambe, Inc.

Alvin Scott has been a man of the community, with a deep seated interest in the welfare of its people. No worthy cause has ever found him indifferent to its appeal. His was a life of service. As mayor of the City of Naperville for two terms, as Supervisor of Lisle Township, as Postmaster, and in other offices he served the civic interests of the community. To the First Congregational Church, in which he was a church school teacher, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and an active worker in almost every department, he gave his counsel and support. To many who needed advice in trying times he gave freely of his time and thought. The demands made upon him were constant and he never had the heart to say "No".

He was enthusiastic in Masony and served as Master of Euclid Lodge for many terms and filled all the other offices at different times. He was also a member of Euclid Chapter No. 13, Royal Arch Masons; Aurora Commandery, Knights Templar, Medinah Temple and the Consistory. But best of all, with all his multiplicity of duties, "Bay" Scott found his greatest delight in being a friend. Standing out among his many accomplishments, friendliness was supreme. His special concern was always for the unfortunate and especially was he solicitous for the fatherless. Many were the times that his fatherly interest lightened the burden for such an one. And to all whom he had befriended he was familiarly and affectionately known as "Uncle Bay."

On January 17th, 1888, Mr. Scott was married to Elizabeth Wilson of Chicago, who survives him. Their home in Naperville has always been a bright spot for friends - here was friendliness at its best always. The family circle was linked by the birth of a son, Robert, on February 18th, 1889, but at the age of 18 years death claimed him and the tragedy of the eternal question, why? confronted them.

"None of us has power to know, Who should stay and who should go. Think of this when you are tried; If the wretched only died, Then would death to us be sent, Always as a punishment? But the passing from the earth, Is more beautiful than birth."

Funeral services for Mr. Scott were held on Friday afternoon, March 12th, at the First Congregational Church, Naperville, and interment was made in the Naperville Cemetery. In his honor the business activities of the city ceased, and midst floral tributes of choicest blossoms, hundreds gathered to do honor to the departed. Rev. E. F. Collins, his pastor, had charge of the service at the church and the Masonic burial service was used at the grave with E. J. Lambe as Master. The Temple Male Quartet of Chicago sang comforting selections.