My Genealogy Hound

VANKIRK SCOTT, civil engineer, McKeesport, was born in Elizabeth township, this county, Jan. 2, 1861. His father was John W., son of Joseph and Ruth (Vankirk) Scott, and grandson of James and Mary (Pearson) Scott on paternal side, and Samuel and Mary (Price) Vankirk on maternal side. His mother was Rachel (Humphreys) Scott, daughter of Thomas and Frances (Clendenning) Humphreys, of Upper St. Clair township, this county, and granddaughter of William and Leah (Gamble) Humphreys on paternal side, and Charles and Frances (Hamilton) Clendenning on maternal side. James Scott, great-grandfather of subject, emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, to America in 1780; settled in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, in 1786, and married Mary Pearson, who had escaped the Indian massacre at Hannastown. He had three sons: James, Zaccheus and Joseph, who served through the war of 1812. He died in 1825. Samuel Vankirk, great-grandfather of subject, came from New Jersey to this county shortly after the Revolution, and settled in Elizabeth township. He served through the revolutionary war, carried the colors at the battle of Long Island, was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. His wife was Mary Price, of New Jersey. Both died in 1834. Joseph Scott, grandfather of subject, was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died on the farm settled by his father.

John W. Scott, father of our subject, was born in Elizabeth township, May 31, 1819. He is a stair-builder by occupation, and resides in McKeesport. He was for many years a member of the board of education, chairman of that body, also treasurer of the school fund. He has been a member of council, borough treasurer, justice of the peace, and served two terms as burgess. The subject of this sketch was reared in McKeesport, received his education in the common schools, and follows the occupation of a civil engineer.