"James Wescott was born in Cumberland County, Maine, October 22, 1823. He went to California in 1849, and followed mining until 1853. Returning to his former home [Maine], the next spring, he came to Eagan and began farming having a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Here he has since resided and is one of the pioneers of the county. In 1863, he entered the army, joining Company I, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, as junior lieutenant. He was honorable discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, at the close of the war. Was elected treasurer of Dakota county in 1860, and held the office two years. His residence in Eagan is near Westcott station which was named in his honor . August 23, 1857, he married Mary E. Atkinson, who has borne him seven children, five are living."

(Abbie D., J. E., George E., William Henry, Benjamin B. living and Gertrude and Deborah C. dead)

Mary Atkinson was also from Cumberland County, Maine, but they were married in Minnesota.

From Minnesota Historical Society

"An interesting recent gift to the Nicollet County Historical Society is a daguerreotype of William B. Dodd, one of the founders of St. Peter and the builder of the Dodd Road. The picture was made in 1859 while Dodd was staying at an inn kept by James Wescott on the Dodd Road in Dakota County . Dodd is shown holding Wescott's infant daughter Abbie. The picture, which has since remained in the possession of members of the Wescott family, was presented to the society by Mrs. Ethelyn M. Wescott of Gaylord."

From Eagan News 9/83 (1883?) The Good Old Days

"Posted three notices in three of the most public places in the town of Eagan on the 28th day of April A.D. 1861 as follows one on Bartholomew Dalys land on a tree on the Bank of the lake of Section 28 in Said town one opposite the town Clerks office on a Bur oak Tree (the Lone Oak Tree) and one at Mr. Wescotts on his Barn Door, Said notices were copies of the By laws of said town of Eagan" [Punctuation and capitalization is as it appears in the newspaper.]