Obituary Information

Amanda Hale Wescott Obituary
Jane Elizabeth Cockbain Wescott Obituary
Wells Libby Wescott Obituary
Wells Hale Wescott Obituary
Mary Ann Cockbain Wescott Obituary

Jane Elizabeth Cockbain Wescott Amanda Hale Wescott
Dakota County Tribune, November 20, 1888

Died.

Wescott.---At her home near this village, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 1888, of heart disease, Mrs. Amanda Hale Wescott, wife of W. L. Wescott, aged 59 years.

The funeral was held at the Methodist church on Tuesday last, Rev. Avison officiating.

Diseased(sic) was born in Westbrook, Me. and was married to W. L. Wescott, at Gorham, ME., Feb. 26, 1849; removed to Minnesota in 1854, settled in the town of Eagan, removing thence to the town of Lakeville in 1857, where she had since resided. She leaves a husband and five children, one son and four daughters, the latter being married to H. L. McCluskey, Wm. Verrill, C. Thomas and V. Y. Thomas. Mrs. Wescott's death occurred very suddenly and without previous warning of any kind. The sympathy of all is theirs in their great affliction.

In Personal Mention.

H. L. McCluskey and wife, of Minneapolis, Wm. Verrill and wife, of Shakopee, and C. Thomas and wife, of Roseville (note ?Rosemount?), were here this week, being called hither by the sudden death of their mother, Mrs. W. L. Wescott.

Back To Top of Page


Jane Elizabeth Cockbain Wescott Jane Elizabeth Cockbain Wescott
Dakota County Tribune, Sept. 7, 1893

Died

Died-At her home near Farmington, Minn., Sept. 1, 1893, Jane Elizabeth Cockbain, wife of William Wescott.

Mrs. Wescott was born at Vermillion, in this county, Jan. 7, 1869. She was married to William Wescott July 30, 1891, and entered into her rest Sept. 1, 1893. A short and simple story, but within it lies all that makes a noble character. Mrs. Wescott was a woman of that rare magnetic power that attracted all who even casually met her. The secret of this power lay in her sympathy for and interest in other people; her genial, lovable disposition and her unselfishness. Any one of her friends can testify to instance after instance wherein these traits of her character were beautifully manifested. In her work as a teacher, before her marriage, she proved herself the same noble, painstaking woman, endearing herself alike to both pupils and parents. Certainly with great force the Master's words may be applied to her: "She hath done what she could." The summons that called her from earth came suddenly and fell as a blow upon all. Her place in her home is empty---in the hearts of her many friends there is a blank. But we believe that such a beautiful life as hers was but the beginning of an eternity of ever widening power and love. Her work so soon ended here will go on to comfort and bless the stricken ones left behind. "She, being dead, yet speaketh." Our mortal care may be dull, our mortal eyes blind, but "with the dawn" we surely shall see "those faces which we have loved and lost awhile." E.S.

Card of Thanks. William Wescott and Mrs. Ann Cockbain and family, desire to return their heartfelt thanks and sympathy to their neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted them in their hour of bereavement.

NOTE: William as noted above is correctly Wells Hale.

Inscription of the tombstone of Jane Elizabeth Cockbain Wescott and Frank H. Wescott (Born Sept. 1, 1893, Died Sept. 28, 1893 age 4 weeks)

Death did to me short warning give
Therefore be careful how you live
My weeping friends I leave behind
I had not time to speak my mind.

Back To Top of Page.


Wells Hale Wescott Wells Libby Wescott
Dakota County Tribune November 24, 1911

Wells L. Wescott Prominent Pioneer Citizen of Dakota County Passes Away on Friday. Came to Minnesota in 1854

Funeral Services Held at the Presbyterian Church Sunday Afternoon. On Friday, Nov. 17, Wells L. Wescott died at his home in Lakeville, aged 86 years 2 months and 19 days. Mr. Wescott settled here in 1854 being one of the earliest pioneers of our state, and has since seen the country transformed from a wilderness inhabited by savages to its present state.

He was always an advocate of progression in all lines. It was he who donated the land for one of the first school houses in the county and was for many years one of the school board.

He was a most accommodating neighbor and a friend to all who needed assistance. His birthplace was Gorham, Maine at which place he was married to Miss Amanda Hale in 1849, her death occurring exactly 23 years, to the very day, before he was called away. Three daughters and one son survive: Mrs. Chas. Bemis, Mrs. D. A. Thomas and Mrs. H. L. McCluskey, all of Minneapolis: and Wells H. Wescott of Lakeville, also fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J. A. Johnston officiating. A large body of people gathered to do honor to his memory, and notably many of the older settlers who had been so long associated with him and knew him so well. The interment was made in the Farmington cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincere thanks to all who so kindly aided us in our hour of sorrow in the loss of our dear father and especially to Corinthian Lodge and the school children of Dist. 42 for the beautiful floral offerings, and also the choir of the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Chas Bemis.
Mrs. P. A. Thomas.
Mrs. H. L. McCluskey.
Mr. W. H. Wescott.

Note: The daughters are Clara Bemis, Doras (Cassie) Thomas, and Etta McCluskey.

Back To Top of Page


Wells Hale Wescott Wells Hale Wescott
Dakota County Tribune, Friday May 22, 1931

W. H. Wescott, Prominent County Figure, Succumbs

All Classes of Citizens Throng Presbyterian Church Here to Pay Final Respects - Lived on Same Farm During Lifetime.

The Presbyterian church of Farmington was packed to capacity by men and women of every walk of life Wednesday afternoon when funeral services were held for W. H. Wescott, age 68, well-known farmer, who died early Monday morning following a heart attack. He was probably the most widely known farmer of this section of the country, his acquaintance extending to remote corners of the state.

Wells Hale Wescott, son of Wells Wescott and Amanda Hale Wescott, was born on the farm where he died, July 13th, 1863. He attended Dist. 42 school, a short distance down the road from the Wescott farm, and although this was the extent of school days, he acquired a thorough general knowledge of men and affairs from close observation and a keen interest in current events From the highest to the smallest governmental body.

On March 12, 1895, he was united in marriage to Mary Cockbain at Hastings. To this union four children were born, namely, Wells who was killed in an engine explosion at Kellogg, Minn., 11 years ago; Walter, Mary and Flora at home. Besides his widow he is survived by three grand children, and a sister, Mrs. D. A. Thomas of Minneapolis.

For the past several years Mr. Wescott had not been in the best of health. He suffered two heart attacks which gave him the knowledge that his days were not long upon the earth. Thursday evening he suffered another attack and by Saturday he informed his wife that he believed the end was near. At 1:40 Monday morning while his family was gathered around his bedside he passed into Eternity.

Despite threatening rain and low-hanging clouds, a throng of people gathered in the local Presbyterian church to pay their final respects to a life-long friend. Rev. J. J. McLeod, pastor of the church, officiated. "Nearer My God to Thee," Mr. Wescott's favorite hymn, was played as coronet-baritone duet by his grandsons, Grant and Wells Wescott accompanied at the piano by his only Granddaughter, Marie Wescott. A quartet of the church also sang "Savior Pilot Me" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye." Pallbearers, old friends and neighbors, were A. L. Sayers, Alex Empey, John Gilman, Pat Hynes, Pat Sullivan and Andy Loftus. Corinthian Lodge No. 67 A. F. and A. M., of which Mr. Wescott was a member, had charge of the burial services at the family lot in Corinthian cemetery.

As Mr. Wescott mingled with his fellowmen he picked up Friendships which clung to him down through the years. Although he refused to be a candidate for public office he took a keen interest in clean politics. His wise counsel was sought by public officials and others who desired to know the trend of the public mind. Being a heavy land owner he was keenly interested in the problem of taxation, on which subject he was an authority.

His death removes from the community one of our most distinguished citizens.

Back To Top of Page


Mary Ann Cockbain Wescott Mary Ann Cockbain Wescott
Dakota County Tribune, July, 1954

Obituary of Mrs. W. Wescott

Funeral services for Mrs. W. H. Wescott, well known respected pioneer of Farmington and Dakota County, were held at the Farmington Presbyterian church. Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. D. G. Langley of Red Wing, former pastor officiating in the absence of Rev. R. Robert El kin. Mrs. Wescott died July 19, 1954 after a lingering illness.

Two request hymns, "In the Garden" and "Under His Wings" were sung by Mrs. Landley and Mrs. Ardell Hansen, accompanied by Mrs. Ham Clay Jr., organist, who also played a request solo, "Ave Maria" by Schubert.

Interment was in Corinthian cemetery with the following active pallbearers, all neighbors and former neighbors; Jack Sauber, R. B. Shirley, Henry McHugh, Jerome Akin, Wm. Brennen, Bill Harris.

Mary Ann Wescott was born at Vermillion, a daughter of John and Ann Cockbain, on July 31, 1867. She grew up in that community and taught school in Nininger and in the Wescott district northwest of Farmington.

She was united in marriage to Wells H. Wescott of Lakeville and Farmington community, March 12, 1894 and resided on the Wescott farm until the death of her husband.

Mrs. Wescott moved to Minneapolis in 1932 and then came back to Farmington in 1935, when she bought the F. W. Burton residence, where she continued to reside.

Six children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy; one son Wells died July 17, 1920 in a railroad accident near Kellogg, Minn.

Surviving are Mrs. Arvid (Mary Ann) Youngkrantz; Walter of Farmington; Mrs. Dennis (Flora) Breen of Las Vegas, Nevada; also 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Wescott had been active in civic and church work until about five years ago, when her health began to Fail. She had been confined to Sanford hospital the past two years and remained there until her death, Monday of last week.

Mrs. Wescott was a kindly woman, a loving wife and mother; always helpful to others in need. She was one of the faithful Red Cross workers in World War I.

Besides her husband and three children, she was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Nena Thomas and Jane Wescott.

Among those from out of town at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Leeky (note probable Pelkey, daughter of Nena Thomas), Minneapolis; Mrs. Geo. J. Gilbert; Mrs Nell Thomas, Albert, Melvin, Ivan, Clarence Carlson, Gilbert Hagen of St. Paul; John Gilman, Monticello; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Rolfing, South St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Art Anderson (note brother of Ora Wescott), Chisago City.

Back To Top of Page


Wells Libby Wescott Genealogical Information
Wells Hale Wescott Genealogical Information
Wells J Wescott Genealogical Information
Genealogical Information Page
Favorite Recipes of the Wescott Family
Bill Wescott's Family Genealogy and more

This Page was last updated on April 17, 2010