DAVID WESTFALL
David
Westfall, the oldest surviving native son of Union township,
is living retired in his beautiful home in Indianola, and has
made his surroundings reflect his personality and the love of
nature and beauty, which has been developed in him in the
course of his active and honorable life. His house is set in
the midst of gardens which have been the object of his
personal care and attention, and nothing has been neglected
which will add to the attractiveness of the place which is
today one of the most pleasing features of the landscape. Mr. Westfall’s
present period of leisure has come as the reward of earnest,
straightforward and well directed work in the past, for he was
for many years closely identified with farming, stock-raising
and stock buying interests here and his present comfortable
fortune is visible evidence of his business ability and sound
judgment. His
birth occurred November 5, 1852, his parents being Granville
and Jeannette (Teal) Westfall, the former born in Jackson
county, West Virginia, March 3, 1829, and the latter in
Rockbridge county, Virginia, October 26, 1830. In the fall of 1849
the parents made the overland journey into Iowa and settled in
Union township where both remained until death. At the time of
their arrival pioneer conditions prevailed everywhere, the
unbroken prairie stretched for miles in every direction and
wild game was plentiful in the fields and woods. There were no
railroads and the Indians were the most numerous inhabitants. In this frontier
settlement Mr. and Mrs. Westfall founded a home, facing
bravely the hardships and privations of pioneer life and
evolving out of the wilderness a profitable and productive
farm. They
became well known and highly respected in this community where
they were recognized as people of many sterling traits of
character and upright and honorable in all their relations of
life. The mother
died in Union township November 25, 1885 and the father
survived her until December 17, 1891, passing away in Jackson
county, West Virginia, while on a visit. Fourteen children
were born to their union:
Mrs. Martha Troutman, who was born October 20, 1849,
now residing in Union township; Clark, who was born March 6,
1851 and who died in this township; David, of this review;
Franklin, whose birth occurred November 26, 1854, and who died
in Walla Walla, Washington, January 17, 1885; Alfred, who was
born November 13, 1856, and who died in infancy; John P.,
whose birth occurred December 27, 1857, and who resides in Le
Roy, Iowa; George, who was born February 15, 1860 and who
makes his home in Derby; Mrs. Flora Kyner, who was born
November 28, 1861, and who is now a resident of Humeston; Mrs.
Victoria Kyner, born February 25, 1864, a resident of the same
city; Henry, born March 17, 1866, who lives in Union township;
Justin, who was born April 6, 1868, and who makes his home in
Derby; Lucinda, whose birth occurred November 2, 1870, and who
died December 26, 1885; Jo Ann, who was born December 23,
1871, and who passed away August 29, 1872; and Charlie, also
deceased.
David
Westfall grew to manhood in Union township, and acquired his
education in district school.
He learned the details of farm operation by assisting
with the work of the homestead and when he began his
independent career naturally turned his attention to the
occupation to which he had been reared. He purchased land
and gave a great deal of time to its improvement and
cultivation, his efforts through the years being rewarded by a
substantial degree of success.
In addition to general farming Mr. Westfall was also
closely identified with stock-raising and stock-buying
interests and became well known throughout the township as a
farsighted, progressive and enterprising business man. His landed holdings
are today extensive, comprising one hundred and forty-one
acres on Union township and sixty-two acres in Warren
township, both farms being improved with modern buildings and
equipped with everything necessary for their successful
operation. Mr.
Westfall spends part of his time at Derby supervising his
property interests, but has practically retired from active
life and resides in Indianola with his son and grandchildren
whom he regards as especially entrusted to his care. Here he has built a
modern and beautiful home, one of the finest in Iowa, and
having accumulated a comfortable supply of this world’s goods,
is spending his retired life in ease and enjoyment. He takes a great
and justifiable pride in his home which is well furnished and
completely equipped with all modern conveniences and many
luxuries and which has besides been built with an eye to
beauty and attractiveness.
This idea has been carried out in its surroundings
also, for the house is set in the midst of flower gardens and
fine shade trees which beautify a well kept lawn. There are also
vegetable gardens and attractive shrubbery, and Mr. Westfall
gives a great deal of time to the care of his grounds, for he
believes in living close to nature and loves flowers and trees
and everything connected with the out-of-doors.
On
the 8th of April, 1873, Mr. Westfall was united in
marriage to Miss Malissa A. McMains, who was born in Jefferson
county, this sate, August 22, 1850, a daughter of James and
Catharine (Sears) McMains, pioneer settlers in Lucas county,
of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs.
Westfall became the parents of a son, Ernest B., who was born
in Union township, September 16, 1876. The latter grew to
manhood in this community and on January 2, 1898, married Lola
D. Tedrick, a native of Warren township, born November 28,
1878. She was a
daughter of John F. and Emma (Westfall) Tedrick, residents of
Warren township. In
this family were four children:
Mrs. Ernest Westfall; Ralph, who resides in California;
Mrs. Bertha Dobel, also of California; and Otis of the same
state. These
children were all born and reared in Warren township. Mrs. Ernest
Westfall passed away at Indianola July 1, 1909, and is buried
at Derby. She
and her husband became the parents of the following children. Wilma was born in
Derby, November 15, 1898, and was graduated from the eighth
grade of the Indianola public school in 1913. She is considered
one of the best penmen of her age and expects to enter high
school in the fall of this year. Winnefred was born August 8, 1900. Alta’s birth
occurred on the 29th of July, 1902. Helen was born at
Redland, California, October 25, 1904. These children and
their father make their home with Mr. and Mrs. David Westfall,
who are very fond of their granddaughters and do everything in
their power for their comfort and welfare.
Mr. Westfall gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is interested in the growth and development of the township where his entire life has been spent. He has been township clerk and school director and proved an efficient and reliable public official, discharging his duties ably and with a conscientious sense of responsibility. He represents one of the first pioneer families of this county and has an extensive acquaintance within its borders, his upright life and honorable character having won him high regard and widespread esteem.