Everett Augustus Scholfield was born on December 8, 1843, in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was the son of Edwin A. Scholfield, a textile worker, and his wife Mary. The family moved to Westerly, Rhode Island, in the early 1850's, at which time Edwin began a photographic portrait studio, and taught the craft to his son.

After serving with the Union Army during the Civil War, Everett established a portrait studio with Nathan E. Nash in Wakefield, Rhode Island, but after a few months the partnership disbanded and young Scholfield continued the studio independently. From February 1 to May 1, 1864 he was granted a U.S. Internal Revenue License "to carry on the occupation of Traveling Photographer," followed by a similar license for the period May 1, 1864 to May 1865.

Raised to the Order of Freemasons, Everett continued in the Wakefield studio until March when he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, to begin work with Lucius Thompson, Photographer, 12 Shetucket Avenue. However, by 1866 he had moved to Stonington and established a studio gallery in Mystic River, located over the Union Store on West Main Street. Between 1866 and 1871 he continued in business, first in partnership with C. D. Holmes, and later with D. O. Angell.

In December, 1870, Scholfield travelled to St. Croix and established a photographic practice by January 1871. Returning to Mystic River in June, he reopened his studio and in September married Leonora B. Ashbey of Noank, Connecticut.

By late 1872, E. A. Scholfield was in business as a portrait photographer in Putnam, Connecticut, and worked with W. T. Dyer. However, he returned to Mystic in January 1873, and in addition to portrait work, took photographs of residences, businesses, sailing vessels, and panoramic landscapes views as a commercial enterprise.

In 1877-1878 Scholfield traveled for a second time to the West Indies, while his brother Addison continued the established business in Mystic. Everett returned in the summer of 1878, after unsuccessful business attempts in St. Croix, and in poor health.

The following January, Everett and Addison established "Scholfield Brothers" at 30 Main Street in Westerly, Rhode Island, to which brother Edwin D. was added in 1881. Everett spent June and July of that year on a mining investment venture in Honduras.

By January 1885 Everett had severed his association with Scholfield Brothers and George E. Tingley entered a one year apprenticeship at the Mystic studio. Tingley soon became a partner in the business and in the New London extension at 59 State Street. He managed the Mystic studio while Scholfield managed the one in New London. In August the partnership was dissolved. Scholfield continued in New London, while Tingley practiced in Mystic through 1939, receiving considerable acclaim for his work.

Between 1901 and 1912 Everett Scholfield's studio was located at 6 Bank Street in New London. After that he lived in retirement at his home on Clift Street in Mystic. He died on October 20, 1930, at the age of 86.