R. M. Scott

The “Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley" begins its sketch on Reuben Scott with: "among the representative men of Winnebago county, none perhaps ever exercised more influence on the people, or more impressed them with his own merits than [this] gentleman." It goes on to tell how he attended winter schools back home at Clarenceville, Missisquoi County, Quebec, Canada and assisted his father on the farm during the summers. Born February 10, 1827, when he was 18, he found work on farms in New York and Vermont before going to Wisconsin in 1848. ("The History of Winnebago County" by Harney, p. 229 says he migrated from Vermont to Menasha in the fall of 1852). Nevertheless, he settled on wild land in an area that was to become Menasha, clearing and working the land and building his home, "all with his own hands, toil and skill". He ventured largely into real estate for a time until 1860 when he and a partner, Mr. Fisher, purchased the Star Flouring Mill in Menasha.  In 1869 he built the National Hotel which at that time was considered the grandest building in the city.  In 1867 he built "one of the finest residences in the city...which for elegance and commodiousness is unsurpassed".  R.M. Scott invested heavily in city property, farm land, manufacturing companies, and employed many men for lumbering.  Among his many other contributions is that he built, on contract, the first 64 miles of the Wisconsin Central railroad in 121 days, a feat never before accomplished in the state.  He was "noted far and wide for his executive ability and administrative powers...was a.. self-made man, one who, unaided save by his own willing hands, indomitable perseverance and sound judgment, scaled the ladder of success.”  He died July 5, 1890.  Of such stuff were Menasha’s founders made.