Walter S. Wescott

Walter S. Wescott
Walter S. Wescott
Member of the Wisconsin Senate; from the 24th district
	In office; January 4, 1864 – January 1, 1866
Preceded by	Edmund A. West
Succeeded by	Henry Adams
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly; from the Green 1st district
	In office; January 5, 1863 – January 4, 1864
Preceded by	Calvin D. W. Leonard
Succeeded by	William W. McLaughlin
	In office; January 2, 1860 – January 7, 1861
Preceded by	Albert H. Pierce
Succeeded by	James Campbell
Personal details
Born	April 18, 1828; Wethersfield, New York, U.S.
Died	March 31, 1908 (aged 79); Wescott, Nebraska, U.S.
Resting place	Douglas Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Nebraska
Party	Republican; Democratic (before 1856);
Spouse	Thankful B. Cleveland (m. 1855⁠–⁠1908)
Children	Ida May (Gibbons); (b. 1856; died 1904); Eda Mary Wescott; (b. 1857; died 1858); Inez Wescott; (b. 1858; died 1858); Eva Marie (Bragg); (b. 1859; died 1937); John James Wescott; (b. 1864; died 1947); Walter Wescott; (b. 1867; died 1881);
Relatives	Ezra Wescott (brother); Jefferson F. Wescott (brother);

Walter Scott Wescott (April 18, 1828 – March 31, 1908) was an American rancher, Republican politician, and pioneer of Wisconsin and Nebraska. He was the founder and namesake of Wescott, Nebraska. Before settling in Nebraska, he was a prominent settler and politician in Green County, Wisconsin, and represented Green County for two years in the Wisconsin Senate (1864, 1865), and for two years in the state Assembly (1860, 1863).

His elder brothers, Ezra Irving Wescott and Jefferson Fayette Wescott, were also notable politicians and Wisconsin pioneers, and both also served in the state Assembly.

Biography

Wescott was born to John, who would become a local politician in New Glarus (town), Wisconsin, and Eunice Wescott on April 18, 1828, in Wethersfield, New York.^[1] He later owned a farm in York, Green County, Wisconsin, before residing in Adams, Green County, Wisconsin, and settling on another farm in Monroe, Wisconsin.

Eventually, Wescott started a cattle ranch in Custer County, Nebraska. In 1886, he established Wescott, Nebraska, where he served as a bank president.

Wescott married Thankful B. Cleveland on January 28, 1855. They would have seven children. Wescott died at his home in Wescott on March 31, 1908.^[2]

His brothers, Ezra and Jefferson, were also members of the Assembly.

Political career

Wescott was elected to the Assembly in 1859 and 1862. He was first elected to the Senate in 1863, ultimately serving two terms. Wescott was a Republican.^[3]

References

↑ Compendium of History, Reminiscence, and Biography of Nebraska. Chicago: Alden Publishing Company. 1912. pp. 552–553.
↑ "Old Settler Passes Away". The Custer County Chief. April 17, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved August 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
↑ History of Green County, Wisconsin. Springfield, Ill.: Union Publishing Company. 1884. pp. 287–288.

[1] Compendium of History, Reminiscence, and Biography of Nebraska. Chicago: Alden Publishing Company. 1912. pp. 552–553.

[obit-chief-2] "Old Settler Passes Away". The Custer County Chief. April 17, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved August 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.

[3] History of Green County, Wisconsin. Springfield, Ill.: Union Publishing Company. 1884. pp. 287–288.

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