Document - Historical information/data - James Wescott and Wescott Station from History of Dakota County -•
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Westcott Station
From History of Dakota County approximately 1900
"Quite a growth in the settlement of the town was visible during the year 1853.
Among the settlers of that year were P. Chapdelan, F. LeBret, Dosite Auge and his
son, Treffle, James and W. L. Wescott, T. N. Dailey, Michael Reid, and T. J.
McCollum and sons.
Mr. Chapdelan bought of Edward Bibaux and Felix Ake, who had come in earlier, the
claim in sections 12 and 13, now owned by James Wescott. While at St. Paul, the river
rose too high for Mr. Chapdelan to return to his land, and LeBret, taking advantage of
this absence, jumped his claim. Mr. Chapdelan then made a claim further south, and
lying partly in the towns of Eagan and Inver Grove.
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 there, 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. He still occupies his original home, as much
distinguished for his private hospitality as he formerly was for hospitality to the
public..."
Stations
"In 1866, a flag station without a depot was established on the line of the Iowa and
Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, near the south-
east corner of section 13, on land belonging to James Wescott, from whom the station
is named Westcott station..."
Post -Office
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"Westcott post -office was established in April, 1881, and A. Lau appointed
postmaster."
In another edition of History of Dakota County it is stated that "In 1855 Mr. Thomas
(most likely it should read James) Wescott opened his house as a tavern, which is the
only one ever in the town. It was called one of the best on the route, and many a
weary traveler has thanked his 'lucky stars' that he arrived at Wescott's ere the night
set in to expose him to the inclemency of the weather."
Oral History
The name Westcott station came from "the home in the West" West cote (home).
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway purchased the right-of-way for the
railroad from James Wescott and proceeded to lay the tracks. However, payment was
not made for the land before the first train came through. James sat on a chair on the
tracks with a shot gun, stopped the train, and forced it to back up to the last station.
When the payment came through the train was allowed to pass.
James Wescott
Father of Wells Libbey Wescott
Born: September 12,1795; Gorham, ME; Cumberland County
Married Dorcas Libbey on April 30, 1815 in Standish, ME; Cumberland County
Remarried Hannah Hanson, Place and date are unknown
Died: April 3,1870; in MN; Dakota County
James Wescott
Brother of Wells Libbey Wescott
Born: October 22,1823; Gorham, ME; Cumberland
County
Married Mary E. Atkinson on August 23, 1857 in
Farmington, MN; Dakota County
Died: May 4,1910; in Egan, MN; Dakota County
