Frederick George Westrip

WESTRIP

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 10:44:22

Frederick George Westrip is the oldest yardmaster in years of continuous service in connection with the Northwestern Railway system. He ahs for thirteen years occupied his present position and has been connected with various departments of the company’s service for forty years. He acted as yardmaster at Council Bluffs for twelve years and investigation into his history shows him to be one of the most faithful and reliable men in the company’s employ. He enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence of those under whom he serves and his record might well serve as an example to others. He was born November 24, 1858, in the pineries about one hundred and fifty miles north of Detroit, Michigan, a son of George Frederick and Hannah (Cook) Westrip, both of whom were natives of England, born near London. The mother was a daughter of Henry Cook and for many years was a resident of Iowa, where she ultimately passed away. The marriage of the parents was celebrated in England, and one child was born to them there , they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and steeled in Michigan, where the father followed faring, having 80 acres of land. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted for service In a Michigan regiment and lost his life in the blowing up of a transport on the Mississippi river. His widow afterward became the wife of John Baker. By her first marriage she had three children: John of Council Bluffs, Frederick George of this review and William also of Council Bluffs.
Following the removal of the family to this state Frederick George Westrip became a student in the schools of Council Bluffs, but was entirely thrown upon his own resources and sine his youthful days has depended altogether upon his labors for his success and his opportunities. He could only attend school at intervals and his educational advantages were therefore limited. He went to live with an uncle, Henry Coo, with whom he remained for three years and then started out in life on his own account. No matter what success he has achieved, it is attributable entirely to his own efforts, and his example shows what may be accomplished when determination and energy point out the way.
On April 16, 1878, Mr Westrip was untied in marriage to Miss Mary E Kalert, who was born in Burlington, Iowa, and attended the public schools. She is a daughter of Andrew and Selina (Pattison) Kalert and a granddaughter of Robert Pattison, who named the city of Burlington.
Mr Westrip’s railroad career began when he was fourteen years of age. He acted as a brakeman and switchman in Council Bluffs and at Dunlap, Iowa, and afterward became connected with yard work at Council Bluffs. He rose to the position of conductor on a freight train running between Council Bluffs and Dunlap and subsequently was promoted to the position of locomotive fireman. A year later he was made yardmaster and has since continued to act in that capacity, spending twelve years as yardmaster at Council Bluffs and then coming to Boone in the same capacity for the Northwestern Railroad Company. He ahs here remained for thirteen years, and his work has given the utmost satisfaction to those interested. He is the oldest yardmaster on the Northwestern system, is most faithful and reliable and thoroughly understands every feature of the work interested to him.
Unto Mr and Mrs Westrip were born six children: Gertrude who died in infancy, George who has also passed away, Mable a trained nurse making her home with her parents, William of Chicago, Gladys and Frederick, both at home. Mr Westrip holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Maccabees and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon the duties which have devolved upon him in business. His record is indeed commendable, and all who know aught of his service speak of him in terms of high regard.

1914 Boone County History Book