William Westphal 1826-1869

WESTPHAL, HINDS

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/13/2016 at 11:03:48

The Herald, Tuesday, March 24, 1869

DEATH OF WM. WESTPHAL
~
Brief Sketch of His Life
~
The Public Services of an
Enterprising and Good
Citizen.
~
In another place will be found the announcement of the sudden death of Wm. Westphal, of the firm of Westphal & Hinds, of this city. Our citizens were startled yesterday by the report that Mr. Westphal was dead, for though it was known that he had been ailing for several weeks, and under Dr. Hoar’s care, it was not understood that his illness would terminate in death. On Monday he was downtown, spending about two hours at his counting room and transacting business. He complained of weariness and returned home, never more in life to leave it.

Wm. Westphal was born in the city of Watten, Prussia, in 1826 and was consequently forty-three years of age at his death. His father was a civil officer under the Prussian government and the son had, under the excellent school system of that country, ample opportunities which were well improved, for a substantial education. While yet a boy William took a deep interest in religious matters and became an enthusiastic disciple of a Swedenborg, and throughout his later life was an earnest advocate of his doctrines. In 1841, when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Westphal came to this country, being occupied for a time as a clerk in a hardware establishment of Seymour & Co., on Chatham Square. He then went over to Williamsburg, where, with Dr. Gr?, he engaged in the hardware business. Here he was married, his wife bringing him two children, a boy and a girl, the latter of whom died. His son still live, and is now about sixteen years of age. His wife died in Williamsburg, and soon after Mr. Westphal turned his attention to the west, then just opening to enterprise. In 1854 he visited the west in search of a location and fixed upon Dubuque. Returning east he married a second time, and with his family in 1855, removed to this city. He opened a hardware store near the corner of Main and 8th Streets, afterwards removed to the Rebman, now Sanford, block. He contained the business alone for nearly two years, and in May 1857 associated with Franklin Hinds, under the firm name, as it still continues, of Westphal & Hinds. They remained in the Rebman block four years and then removed to the quarters since occupied by them. By his second wife Mr. Westphal had four children, one of whom died. Of those living there are two girls and a boy.

Mr. Westphal leaves an abundant property for his family. In addition to his business connections he had considerable investments in real estate in this city and elsewhere and we believe an insurance on his life for $5,000 in the Connectiut Mutual Company.

The funeral will take place from the late residence on 11th Street, on the bluff, on Thursday. Mr. Westphal was a member of the Order of Masons, but whether the funeral services will be conducted with the honors of that order we are not informed. Announcement will undoubtedly be made.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WILLIAM WESTPHAL,was a native of the Kingdom of Westphalia; he came to Dubuque in 1855, and engaged in the hardware trade, and established the business of the present firm of Westphal, Hinds & Co.; in 1857, the firm became Westphal & Hinds; Mr. Westphal was successfully engaged in business until his death, which occurred March 23, 1869; he left four children. Mrs. Westphal is still interested in the firm of Wesphal , Hinds & Co.
"The History of Dubuque County. Iowa"
http://members.tripod.com/~Doreen_3/DBIONOP.htm