Born near Iola, Kansas, Scott attended the common schools.

He went to Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and was engaged chiefly in clerical work.

He served as member of the Kansas State Senate from 1892 to 1896, and according to the 1903 Congressional Directory, "at different times has been president of the State Editorial Association, president of the Kansas League of Republican Clubs, and president of the Kansas Day Club, an organization of the young Republicans of the State".

He served as delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1916 and 1932 Scott was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the United States Senate in 1918 and again in 1928.

[2] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress