Son of Lucien & Hannah (Marsden) Scovil

Anaconda Standard 27 Jun 1925
FOUNDER OF TWO LAUNDRY HOUSES
John Scovil, Widely Known Butte Citizen, Dies at Hospital After Operation.
Butte lost one of its substantial citizens yesterday when John Scovil, pioneer laundryman and community worker, died at Deaconess hospital following an operation performed Thursday. Mr. Scovil was 62 years of age. The funeral will take place Monday afternoon from the home at 201 North Excelsior street, followed by Masonic services at the temple on West Park street conducted by Summit Valley lodge of which Mr. Scovil was a member. The Rev. E.J. Groeneveld and the Rev. Dr. C.L. Clifford will conduct the services.
Mr. Scovil had been in ill health for the last five years and a previous operation had not afforded him relief. The operation of Thursday was decided upon as a last resort.
Few men had taken a more active part than had Mr. Scovil during the more than 45 years that he had been a resident of Montana, the greater part of his life being spent in Anaconda, and Butte. He was born at Provo, Utah, Jan. 30, 1863, and there his early boyhood was passed.
At the age of 14 years Mr. Scovil started out for himself. He worked his way north into Idaho and a short time later came to Montana. He went first to Anaconda and his first position was at the smelter. Later he became driver of a laundry wagon and this business he stuck to, later establishing a laundry of his own.
After operating in Anaconda for a number of years, Mr. Scovil sold out in 1900 and came to Butte, where he first opened the Montana laundry at the corner of Mercury and Colorado streets, the business later becoming the Taylor laundry. In addition to this company, Mr. Scovil acquired the majority interest in the C.O.D. laundry. In addition to his membership in the in the Masonic fraternity, Mr. Scovil was also affiliated with the Butte lodge of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the Silver Bow club, the Butte Country club, the Rotary club and the Butte Curling club. He was intensely interested in the Butte Y.M.C.A. and had served that organization as trustee since 1916, taking part in all its building campaigns and contributing liberally to its support.
Mr. Scovil is survived by his wife, a son, J. Ralph Scovil; four sisters, Mrs. John Royland, Mrs. W. Raymond, Mrs. Ernest Wignall and Mrs. Walter Dusenbery, all of Salt Lake City, and a brother, S.S. Scovil of Butte.