Westbrook Burials

Abram J. Westbrook

Born: September 30, 1833 in Morrow Co., Ohio
Died: July 6, 1914 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 139, plot 6
Married: Livonia C. Swetland on November 24, 1859
Children: Artemus Freeman, Eddie, Stanley, Charles B., H. Burr and William S. (Surr)
Parents: Hiram and Maria Ashley Westbrook ¹
Veteran: Co. E., 121 O.V.I. (Ohio Volunteer Infantry)
Family Group Sheet: A. J. and Livonia Westbrook

A.J. Westbrook
DIED YESTERDAY AT AGE OF 81 YEARS

After many months of sickness and several years of ill health, during which time he was unable to look after business with his accustomed care and attention., A. J. Westbrook passed away, yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his home three miles southwest of Newton. His body was simply enfeebled by old age and he passed out of sleep into death.

The deceased was among the older and better known residents of Jasper county. He and his wife came to this county in 1864 -- immediately after the war. They came here with Hiram Westbrook, the deceased's father, who was at that time a retired farmer. The deceased had volunteered in Ohio, but after a few months' service in the war was released on account of disability.

The deceased was born September 30th, 1833, near Sparta, Ohio. Mr. Westbrook was married to Livona Swetland in 1860. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook came to Jasper county and settled on the farm southwest of Newton, where they have lived ever since. After becoming incapacitated, Mr. Westbrook's son, W. S., moved into a house in the same yard as his father and he and his wife have taken care of the couple.

The deceased leaves his life companion behind and two sons -- two sons, Edward and Stanley, having died as children with diphtheria. Surviving sons are: A. S. of Aberdeen, Idaho: Charles, of Oskaloosa: Burr, of Texas, and W. S. on the old home farm. A brother, Lee Westbrook of ?ty, and a sister, Mrs. C. B. Jones of Nebraska, also survive.

The son, Charles was for many years associated with ?ert Miller in the dry good business here under the name of Miller & Westbrook. He is now engaged in the business in Oskaloosa.

No arrangements have been made for the funeral as yet known if the sons from the west can come. ~ The Newton Daily News, July 7, 1917

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Biography of A.J. Westbrook

Westbrook, A.J., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Newton; born in Knox Co., Ohio, September 30, 1833. He learned the carpenter trade which he followed mostly till he came to this county. He enlisted in Co. E, 121 O.V.I., August, 1862, for three years, but was discharged for disability in about five months. He married Livona C. Swetland November 24, 1859; they have four children Artemas F., Charles B., H. Burr and William S.

Mr. W. and family came to this country in 1865, and engaged in farming, carrying on his father's place. Politically, he is a Republican. Has been Assessor of the Township four years. His brother L. B., is now Clerk of the Courts in this county. ~ The History of Jasper Co., Iowa, 1878.

Livonia C. (Swetland) Westbrook

Born: July 4, 1836 in Sparta, Morrow Co., Ohio ²
Died: December 26, 1925 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 139, plot 5
Married: A. J. Westbrook in Knox Co., Ohio
Children: Artemus Freeman, Eddie, Stanley, Charles B., H. Burr and William S. (Surr)
Parents: Fuller M and Elizabeth (Russell) Sweatland ²

Metz News

The community was saddened on Saturday evening by the passing away of Mrs. A. J. Westbrook in Newton. She had gone there to spend Christmas with her sister and was sick only a few hours when the end came. She was eighty-nine years of age and was able to care for herself most of the time. She had made her home with her son Surr for the past two years and had lived in this vicinity about sixty years. "Aunt Vone" as she was called will be greatly missed by her many friends. ~ The Colfax Tribune, December 21, 1925.

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Hold Westbrook Funeral Services
This Afternoon

Funeral services from Mrs. Livona Westbrook, who died Saturday evening at the home of her sister, Mrs. Ed. Thornton, were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the Morgan Funeral home with Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church in charge of the rites.

Pall bearers were Will, Henry and Fred Aillaud, Alva Baker, J. Callison, and Ralph Miller. Burial was made in the Sugar Grove cemetery near Metz.

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Obituary

Mrs. Westbrook, who was 89 years of age, was born in Ohio in 1836 and was married there to Abram Westbrook in 1859. Her maiden name was Miss Livonia Katherine Swetland.

In 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook came to Jasper County, where they made their home. Six children were born to them, two of whom, Edward and Stanley, preceded their mother in death. Mr. Westbrook died several years ago. Surviving are the four sons, A. S. Westbrook of Oregon, C. B. Westbrook of this city, Burr Westbrook of Merrill, Ore., and W. S. Westbrook, who lives near Newton.

Mrs. Westbrook, who was lovingly knows to a large circle of relatives and friends as "Aunt Vone," was making a Christmas visit at the Thornton home at the time of her death. She had been making her home with her son, W. S. Westbrook in the country, and had come to Newton to visit during the holidays. She had been in fairly good health although she has been failing for some time due to her advanced age.

It has been the custom of the Westbrook family to hold a reunion each year, and at these "Aunt Von" had been guest of honor. She had a great many friends in Newton and vicinity who will be grieved to learn of her death. ~ The Newton Daily News, December 28, 1925.

1. Jasper Co., Iowa Death Record
2. Portrait and Biographical Record of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa, 1894. Page 323
also Morgan Funeral Home book 1

Biographical Sketch

Abram J. Westbrook, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Mound Prairie Township, Jasper County, claims Ohio as the state of his nativity. He was born in Morrow County on the 30th of September, 1833, and is of Dutch descent on the parental side. His parents, Hiram and Maria (Ashley) Westbrook, were both natives of the Empire State. Of their children three are yet living, namely: Abram J.; Leroy B., who now makes his home in Newton, Iowa; and Mary E., wife of C. B. Jones, a resident of Hitchcock County, Neb. During the infancy of our subject his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio, becoming early settlers of that community, and in the midst of the forest the father developed a farm.

Abram J. Westbrook shared with the family in the hardships and trials of pioneer life and early became familiar with the arduous labors of the frontier. He attended the old-time subscription and public schools of his native state, beginning his education in a log schoolhouse, which was heated by an immense fireplace, in which great logs of wood were burned. He conned his lessons on slab seats supported by rude wooden logs, and a board resting on pins inserted into the wall served as a writing desk. Although his educational privileges were limited, he has become a well informed man through reading, experience and observation, and keeps himself well posted on current topics.

The country found in Mr. Westbrook a valiant soldier. He enlisted August 16, 1862, as a private in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Infantry, and on the organization of the company was elected Second Sergeant. He took part in numerous skirmishes and in the battle of Perryville, and was honorably discharged April 23, 1863, on account of disability, for which he now receives a pension of $12 a month. After leaving the service he returned to his home in Ohio.

Mr. Westbrook was married November 24, 1859, to Livona C. Swetland, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio, July 4, 1836, and is the daughter of Fuller M. and Elizabeth (Russell) Swetland. The former is a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Her paternal grandfather was a soldier of the War of 1812. Mrs. Westbrook has one surviving sister, Lamora E., wife of Charles Emery, of Bates County, Neb. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook have been born six children, four of whom are yet living: Artemus F., a resident of Salt Lake City; Charles B., of Newton, Iowa; Burr, also of Newton; and William, at home.

In 1864 Mr. Westbrook came with his family to this county, and settled on the farm which has since been his home. It now comprises eighty acres of good land. His possessions have been acquired through his own untiring efforts and the assistance of his wife, who has been a faithful helpmate and counselor to him. He has been honored by some public offices of trust. He served both as Assessor and as Trustee of Sherman Township, when the northeast part of North Prairie Township was included within Prairie Township.

He also served as Justice of Peace for two years, and the prompt and able manner in which he discharged his duties won him the commendation of all concerned. He is a Republican in politics, and socially is identified with a Masonic fraternity of Newton. Throughout the community he is held in high esteem and has a host of warm friends. ~ Portrait and Biographical Record of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa, 1894. Page 323