Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Lloyd W. Scott

On a Saturday morning in 1911 or 1912, Lloyd W. Scott was delivering groceries in Burlington, Kansas, when he looked up and saw his first airplane. Later, he went out to the field where it landed and met the pilot, A.K. Longren who had built the plane in Topeka and flown it out into the country. At that moment Scott decided he wanted to be a pilot.

Scott finished high school and then went to Baker University where he played football and ran track. He and his brother also operated a laundry service while in college and worked for the Chautauqua tent show that came through Baldwin City each summer.

His opportunity to fly came just after he graduated from Baker in 1917. The US entered World War I that year and Scott enlisted in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. But before learning to fly the Curtiss Jenny airplane, he decided to learn to drive a car, which he felt would help him to become a better pilot!

After military service, Scott went to Topeka in 1919 and worked as a clerk for the Kansas Legislature for a few months. He then began selling cars for the Trefry Motor Company and within three years was promoted to sales manager.

Mr. Scott remained in the automobile business in Topeka for 37 years. He worked for several motorcar dealerships until 1951 when he became sole owner and president of Scott Motors.

He was very active in community and state activities including president of the Kansas Motor Car Dealers Association and the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Topeka and a trustee of Stormont-Vail Hospital and Baker University.

Source:
Peggy Greene, “Lloyd Scott Has Many Varied Interests,” Topeka Capital, 24 May 1953.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.