Pg 300

         D. H. WESTBROOK, a general farmer residing on section 4, Grand View Township, was born in Chemung County, N. Y., in 1841, and is a son of James and Clarissa (Scott) Westbrook, both of whom were also natives of the Empire State. The occupation of James Westbrook was farming, which he followed in New York until 1857, at which time he emigrated to Illinois, settling in DeKalb County, near Sycamore, where he engaged in farming, and there remained for a number of years. In 1871 he became a resident of Waverly, Bremer Co., Iowa, where he remained until 1883, and then removed to Letts, Louisa County, where he still makes his home.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon a farm, and his education was received in the district schools of New York, and also in the graded schools of Sycamore, Ill. He first settled in Iowa in 1863, becoming a resident of Muscatine County, where he engaged in farming for three years, and then removed to Louisa County, in January, 1866. On the 9th of the month he was united in marriage with Melinda Wagner, a native of Louisa County, and a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Gower) Wagner, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Maryland.

After their marriage Mr. Westbrook and his bride began their domestic life upon the farm on section 4, Grand View Township, on which they yet reside. The original farm was an unimproved tract of timber land consisting of 120 acres, but from this almost unbroken wilderness, by his untiring labor, Mr. Westbrook soon developed a fine farm. Since then an elegant residence has been erected, a large barn has been built. To his original tract has been added, both by will and . . .

Pg 301

. . . subsequent purchase, until he now owns 1,075 acres of the finest land in Louisa and Muscatine Counties, all of which is under fence, being partly cultivated and the remainder used for pasturage. A considerable portion has been tiled, and all improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm have been built. Mr. Westbrook raises a great many head of Polled-Angus and Short-horn cattle, which he ships directly to Chicago, and also has a good grade of horses. He has an apiary upon his farm, and in 1885 shipped about five tons of honey to Chicago, Kansas City, St. Paul and other points. He has also a fine dairy, and manufactures and ships a large amount of butter annually.

To Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook have been born nine children, seven of whom are living—Ella, Philip W., Bessie F., James Howard, Emma, Martha and Fred Scott, all yet at home except Ella, who married Lemuel G. Dickinson, Aug. 29, 1888. George W. died May 5, 1874, when only one year old, and another child died in infancy.

Mr. Westbrook’s home is pleasantly situated about two and a half miles from Letts, and is also centrally located about eleven miles from Columbus Junction and Muscatine, the latter place being their market. In his political views he is a Republican. He takes great interest in all educational matters, has served as School Director for a number of terms, and is at present School Treasurer. A farmer by profession, he takes pride in his calling, and with that push and enterprise that seem to be inborn, he has achieved success, and is recognized as one of Louisa County’s best citizens.