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         BURROUGHS WESTLAKE, a leading and progressive farmer, residing on section 34, Concord Township, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1817, and was the second in a family of nine children born to Samuel and Hannah (Vandel) Westland, both of whom were natives of Greenbrier County, Va., and early settlers of Ohio. The father followed farming in that State until 1853, when he removed to Scott County, Iowa, and after residing there for a few years took up his residence in Kansas, in 1866, his death occurring there the following year. The death of a son-in-law, a daughter and a grandson occurred within three weeks of Mr. Westlake. He had formerly been a soldier in the War of 1812, and was an honored citizen in the community where he resided. The mother, who was an estimable lady, died in Scott County, Iowa, in 1863.

Our subject grew to manhood upon a farm, and received only such education as the district schools of his native State afforded. In Ohio, in the year 1847, he was united in marriage, becoming the husband of Margaret Smeltzer, who was born in the Buckeye State, and was a daughter of John and Christina (Blazer) Smeltzer, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who emigrated to Ohio at an early day, the father there engaging in farming. Both parents have long since departed this life. By this union a family of nine children was born: Melvina, who is now Mrs. Compton, of Cloud county, Kan.; Lavina, now Mrs. Diller, and Mary Frances, now Mrs. Fuller, are also residents of Cloud County; Alonzo B. is married, and living in Denver, Col., where he follows the carpenter’s trade; Christina, wife of Mr. Kuder, is living in Iowa; Cora Bell, now Mrs. Briggs, is living in Creston, Iowa; Emma is at home; Sadie, now Mrs. Shellabarger, is a resident of Concord Township; and James, who is married and resides on the home farm.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Westlake remained residents of Ohio until 1853, when they removed to the West, locating in Scott County, Iowa, where he followed farming until 1861, and then came to Louisa County. His home since that date has been on the farm where he yet resides. He purchased 160 acres of wild land, situated on four sections, and began its cultivation, built a comfortable house and made many other improvements. He has since bought ten more acres, and the land is stocked with good grades of Durham and Polled-Angus cattle, and horses of the Clyde and Percheron breeds. The farm is pleasantly situated about four miles from Columbus Junction, and is one of the best in the township. Mr. Westlake votes with the Democratic party, and has held the office of Township Trustee. For over a quarter of a century he has been one of the leading farmers of the county, where he has witnessed many changes, has seen the wild, uncultivated prairies developed into beautiful homes and farms, and has aided largely in all enterprises for the public good. Mrs. Westlake, who was a member of the Church of God, and an earnest worker in the promotion of its interests, was called to her final home in 1872.