James Wescott emigrated to the west in 1849, traveled by means of ox teams across the plains of Nevada and settled near Sacramento, California, remaining three years in the gold mines. In the spring of 1854 he came to St. Paul, and subsequently located in Eagan township where he bought 160 acres of improved land and engaged in farming. He married Mary E. Atkinson, August 23, 1857. During the war James Wescott served two years in Co. I, 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery, as Lieutenant under Colonal Colville. He mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and received his honorable discharge at Fort Snelling. He served as (Dakota) County Treasurer for two years from 1858-1860, and also served as Census Enumerator in 1890.
Was an Agent for the Milwaukee/WI RR in 1865. Governor Ramsey deeded him 80 acres in 1857. He and his brother Wells came to Minnesota in 1850 and then returned for their wives.
James Wescott soon purchased LeBret's claim right, and built a house sixteen feet square, which he occupied with his brother, W. L. Wescott. In the fall of 1854, the latter returned to their former home, in Maine, and brought out his family. James Wescott being at that time unmarried, the brothers continued to live together. Along the route, by their house, there was a large amount of travel, and from the time they began to show the first signs of house-keeping, the Wescotts were besought to entertain the travelers. They were soon forced to make a business of this, and Wescott's Inn became famous throughout the country as a traveler's rest. Political conventions were held here at an early day. On one occasion, in 1856, a mass convention assembled here, of which John Van Hoesen, of Hastings, was chairman. Among other features of the affair, speeches and motions were in French, and the worthy chairman was forced to call an interpreter to his assistance. After a few years, W. L. Wescott removed to a claim of his own, while his brother James continued to keep public house until 1863. This he did with great success, being unable at times to entertain all who would be his guests.
Wescott, a railway station, usually spelled Westcott, was named for a prominent pioneer, James Wescott, who settled there in 1854. He served in the First Minnesota heavy artillery in the civil war; was treasurer of this county in 1860-62; and died on his farm near this station, May 4, 1910.
James Wescott emigrated to the west in 1849, traveled by means of ox teams across the plains of Nevada and settled near Sacramento, California, remaining three years in the gold mines. In the spring of 1854 he came to St. Paul, and subsequently located in Eagan township where he bought 160 acres of improved land and engaged in farming. He married Mary E. Atkinson, August 23, 1857. During the war James Wescott served two years in Co. I, 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery, as Lieutenant under Colonal Colville. He mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and received his honorable discharge at Fort Snelling. He served as (Dakota) County Treasurer for two years from 1858-1860, and also served as Census Enumerator in 1890.
Was an Agent for the Milwaukee/WI RR in 1865. Governor Ramsey deeded him 80 acres in 1857. He and his brother Wells came to Minnesota in 1850 and then returned for their wives.
James Wescott soon purchased LeBret's claim right, and built a house sixteen feet square, which he occupied with his brother, W. L. Wescott. In the fall of 1854, the latter returned to their former home, in Maine, and brought out his family. James Wescott being at that time unmarried, the brothers continued to live together. Along the route, by their house, there was a large amount of travel, and from the time they began to show the first signs of house-keeping, the Wescotts were besought to entertain the travelers. They were soon forced to make a business of this, and Wescott's Inn became famous throughout the country as a traveler's rest. Political conventions were held here at an early day. On one occasion, in 1856, a mass convention assembled here, of which John Van Hoesen, of Hastings, was chairman. Among other features of the affair, speeches and motions were in French, and the worthy chairman was forced to call an interpreter to his assistance. After a few years, W. L. Wescott removed to a claim of his own, while his brother James continued to keep public house until 1863. This he did with great success, being unable at times to entertain all who would be his guests.
Wescott, a railway station, usually spelled Westcott, was named for a prominent pioneer, James Wescott, who settled there in 1854. He served in the First Minnesota heavy artillery in the civil war; was treasurer of this county in 1860-62; and died on his farm near this station, May 4, 1910.
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