Mark D. Scott, a highly skilled and astute newspaper man, has made his mark in South Dakota as the editor and publisher of the influential Sioux Falls Journal. Born in Wisconsin in 1866, Scott’s early immersion in the printing industry set the stage for his successful career. From humble beginnings as a newspaper carrier in Deadwood, he steadily rose through the ranks, eventually founding and managing several newspapers across different states. His journalistic prowess and dedication to delivering timely and relevant news have earned him a respected reputation. Scott’s commitment to the newspaper business and his advocacy for fiscal responsibility in public affairs are notable aspects of his professional endeavors.
MARK D. SCOTT.— One of the alert and thoroughly trained newspaper men of South Dakota is the subject of this sketch, who is editor and publisher of the Sioux Falls Journal. Under his able management, this has become one of the most influential journals in the state.
Mr. Scott is a native of Wisconsin, having been born on the 7th of April, 1866, and being a son of Daniel and Augusta H. (Hunter) Scott. The subject received his early educational training in the public schools of his native county and gained his initiation into the mysteries of the printing business before he had attained the age of ten years. In 1878, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Deadwood, South Dakota, and in this celebrated mining city, then on the frontier of civilization, he became a newspaper carrier and eventually gained control of several newspaper routes in the town. In 1883, he came to Sioux Falls and secured employment in a printing office, and in 1885, in association with Hibbard Patterson, had charge of the mechanical work on the Dakota Argus for a period of six months. During the year 1886, Mr. Scott was an advertising solicitor for the Rapid City Daily Republican, and later he was employed for six months on the Lead City Tribune. In 1888, he went to Burke, Idaho, and started the first newspaper in the town but disposed of the business after six months. He then went to La Grande, Oregon, where he again became associated with Mr. Patterson, the two gentlemen there establishing the La Grande Journal, whose publication they continued until March 1890, when they sold the property. Mr. Scott continued to be identified with newspaper interests in La Grande until 1892 when he came again to Sioux Falls, where, on the first of January 1893, he became the city editor of the Sioux Falls Daily Press. This incumbency he retained until August of the following year when he became the editor and publisher of the Sioux Falls Journal, having since been thus connected with this well-known and popular paper. Of his efforts in this connection, another publication has previously spoken as follows: “During the presidential campaign of 1896, Mr. Scott issued a daily paper called the Daily Journal. There were sixty-two issues of this paper, and every one of them was filled with what newspaper men call ‘hot stuff.’ It was published in the interest of Bryan and his adherents in South Dakota, but when it became assured that McKinley was elected, the daily issue was discontinued. Mr. Scott is a great newsgatherer and always has something pertinent and timely to say regarding the issues before the people. He is strictly in the newspaper business and is an earnest advocate of economy in public affairs.”
On the 23rd of March 1890, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Eva Kuhn, of La Grande, Oregon, and they have three children, Davne K., Owen L., and Norman D.