Page 82225
Birth information from Gorham Vital Records page 15224
Page 631, James was a Junior 1st Lieuienant, Col, 1st Minnesota Regiment (Heavy Art.) I Company, in the Civil War. Was in Nashville 20 February 1865 - 27 September 1865.28

Page 575, 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. They retired from active life in 1901, and are still living. 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 1890.27

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.

Page 348 "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.......". "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. He still occupies his original home, as much distinguished for his private hospitality as he formerly was for hospitality to the public."22
Page 354 "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, 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 elected treasurer of Dakota county in 1860, and held the office two years. His residence in Eagan is near Wescott station, which was named in his honor. August 23d, 1857, he married Mary E. Atkinson, who has borne him seven children, five are living."22

Page 168, states: "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."29