Scholfield was born in Talangatuk East, Victoria, where he attended state schools and became a farmer.

He subsequently became a soldier settler in the Balmoral area before acquiring a farm near Hamilton, and was a councillor and president of the Shire of Kowree.

[1][2][3] He held the seat until his defeat by Labor candidate Don McLeod at the 1940 election.

[5] During World War II, Scholfield served as deputy-assistant quartermaster general in the Volunteer Defence Corps.

[6] Following World War II, Scholfield moved to New South Wales and assumed a prominent role as organising secretary of the New England New State Movement.