Santa Cruz County Biographies

JAMES AUSTIN LINSCOTT

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        The subject of this sketch is a native of Lincoln County, Maine, and was 
born December 20, 1846. He was reared a farmer, and attended the public schools 
of his native place until he was fifteen years old. At that time he went to work 
for the United States Government, and helped to build Fort Popham, at the mouth 
of the Kennebec River. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Second Maine 
Cavalry, U, S. A., for service in the Civil War. A number of his relatives also 
wore the blue during the internecine struggle, and some of them spilled their 
blood for the flag. James served three years, from December 3, 1863. On that day 
his regiment sailed for Portland, Maine, on the ship Northampton, for New 
Orleans. From New Orleans they went to Florida, and were for some, time engaged 
in raids in that State. After leaving Florida they were ordered to Alabama, 
thence to Mississippi, and thence again to Florida, where the close of the war 
found them. Mr. Linscott himself carried the order that took the army from 
Pensacola, Florida, to the attack upon Mobile. His army life was full of 
thrilling experiences and exciting adventures, but, as he says, not entirely 
without its allowance of fun. He was the youngest member of his company, and 
seems to have been looked upon as the mischief maker, whether or not he deserved 
the title.
        After receiving his discharge from the army, Linscott returned home and 
started to school again. The next year he made his first trip to California, 
coming by way of Central America. He settled in Santa Cruz County, and engaged 
in the lumber business. After two years of hard work at this occupation, he made 
up his mind that he was able to marry, and so he returned to the East to get the 
girl he had "left behind" him. Her name was Dora J. Rowell, and she lived at 
Cambridgeport, near Boston, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Linscott 
returned to California, bringing his wife with him. He came again to Santa Cruz 
County, and resumed the lumber business. His second location was at Grover & 
Co.'s mill, near Soquel. In the fall of 1872 he removed to Watsonville, but 
still followed the same trade. In 1884 he abandoned the calling at which he had 
gotten his first start, and went to farming and stock raising in the Pajaro 
Valley. These occupations have claimed his attention ever since.
        It was Mr. Linscott who built and established the Eureka Sawmill, also 
the Clipper Mill, and the new Eureka Shingle Mill. It was he who cut out most of 
the lumber around Corralitos, and opened up that country.
        Mr. and Mrs. Linscott have one daughter, Carrie, who is a member of the 
class of '93, Watsonville High School, and Commanding Officer of the Watsonville 
Zouaves; a young ladies' military company, which is one of the features of 
Watsonville.
        Mr. Linscott is Republican in politics and takes considerable interest 
in political affairs. In 1890 he was tendered the nomination for county 
supervisor from his district, and was elected. His course as a public officer is 
worthy of much eulogium. A number of important enterprises stand as monuments to 
his energy and public spirit. Among these may be mentioned the sprinkling of the 
county roads during the summer months, and the building of the Corralitos 
bridge.
 
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.-  E. S. Harrison, 
Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891