Mary Catherine Missimer was born on September 20, 1827, near Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, to Aaron Missimer and Anna Morr. Her father was a plasterer who owned $100 of real estate in 1850 and died around 1851. She grew up and attended school in Lycoming County. She married David S. Scott on May 8, 1864. The couple moved to Hannibal, Missouri, in October 1865. Their son William was born on October 26, 1868. David worked in the “liquor business,” and he owned $7,000 of real estate and $1,000 of personal property in 1870. She died in Hannibal on November 7, 1890.