People

One of the early pioneers of Nowata was Bennett Joseph Scoville.

Born in Oneida, New York on March 8, 1868, Scoville came west with his parents in 1889 and found employment in the carpet department of the Wells Bros store in Coffeyville.

In the mid 1890s, he moved to Nowata and was employed in the mercantile business before opening a real estate and insurance office. He married Leona Armstrong on April 8, 1895.

In 1897, Scoville was elected mayor of Nowata by a vote of 78 to 16.

Scoville also served as secretary of the city school board for several years and was a member of the Masonic, Elks, Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World lodges.

Scoville passed away on March 17, 1914 after suffering a stroke at the age of just 46 years old. Practically every business in the city of Nowata closed its doors to allow mourners to attend his funeral. Services were held at the Episcopal church, which could not hold the number of mourners who wished to attend.

Scoville was laid to rest in Oaklawn Cemetery in Nowata.