Scott was born in
Portsmouth, Ohio, and grew up in
Beavercreek, Ohio. He attended
Cedarville College and
Wright State University, both in the state of his birth. Being a pacifist he did alternative service at Lancaster Mennonite School starting in 1969. From 1979 to 1980 he taught at Clearview Mennonite School. Starting in 1984 he worked for twelve years for "Good Books" and "The People's Place" in
Intercourse, Pennsylvania. In early 1997 he was hired at the
Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies where he worked until his death. He wrote mainly on the history, lifestyle, customs, and beliefs of the
Amish and both the Old Order and the Conservative Mennonites. His book
An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups is an important source on both Old Order Mennonites and also on Conservative Mennonites and still is an often cited book. He was a member of the
Old Order River Brethren from 1969 to his death. He married Hariett Sauder in 1973 and had three children with her. == Works ==