Born near Iola, Kansas, Scott attended the common schools. He was graduated from the University of Kansas at Lawrence in 1881. He went to Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and was engaged chiefly in clerical work.
Born in the vicinity of Iola, Kansas, Scott received his basic education through local schools. He later graduated from the University of Kansas at Lawrence in 1881. His subsequent travels took him to Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, where he was mainly involved in clerical duties.