HENRY WESTFALL
A native of Union township, Lucas county, Henry Westfall has practically passed his entire life in this vicinity, having been continually identified with agricultural interests either as an active agriculturist or in buying and selling live stock. He is a member of one of the oldest families of Union township and it has been that pioneer spirit which has made itself felt in his career and brought him success. One hundred and sixty acres, verdant and in good bearing, stand as evidence of his success and now only prove the able management of his private affairs but represent the part he has taken in the general agricultural development of the section. Henry Westfall was born in Union township on March 17, 1866, a son of Granville and Jeannette (Teal) Westfall, the former a native of Jackson county, West Virginia, born March 3, 1829, and the latter born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, on October 26, 1830. In the fall of 1849, among the earliest settlers, the parents came overland to Union township and there remained until their death. There were no railroads when they arrived in this section and the prairie was yet unbroken, its vast stretches peopled with Indians and wild game roaming afield. There they founded a home and with hardy, undaunted spirit underwent the trying experiences of pioneers. In their family were fourteen children: Mrs. Martha Troutman, born October 20, 1849, and a resident of Union township; Clark, whose birth occurred on March 6, 1851, and who passed away in the same township; David, born November 5, 1852, who makes his home in Indianola, Iowa; Franklin, whose natal day was November 26, 1854, and who died in Walla Walla, Washington, on January 17, 1885; Alfred, born November 13, 1856, who died in infancy; John P., who was born December 27, 1857, and resides in LeRoy, Iowa; George, whose birthday is February 16, 1860, a resident of Derby, this state; Mrs. Flora Kyner, born November 28, 1861, of Humeston, Iowa; Mrs. Victoria Kyner, born February 25, 1864, of Humeston, Iowa; Henry, of this review; Justin, born April 6, 1868, who makes his home in Derby, where he is manager of a large lumberyard and of whom more extended mention is made in another art of this work; Lucinda, born November 2, 1870, who died December 26, 1885; Jo Ann, who was born December 23, 1871, and died before she reached her first birth anniversary, on August 28, 1872; and Charles, also deceased. Mrs. Troutman was born in Monroe county, Iowa, but all the younger children were natives of Union township, Lucas county. Granville Westfall passed away in Jackson county, West Virginia, while on a visit on December 17, 1891, in his sixty-second year, his wife having preceded him in death about six years, her demise occurring in Union township on November 25, 1885. They were among the highly respected people of their locality and enjoyed the confidence and good-will of their friends and neighbors.
Henry
Westfall was reared under the parental roof and early guided
by his parents along the right way to success by having
instilled into him the value of those fundamental virtues
which make a man respected by his fellows. He attended the
common schools in his township and there grew to manhood,
becoming acquainted with thorough agricultural methods under
the able guidance of his father. However, he did not take up immediately
the active cultivation of land but for eleven years was
engaged in the buying and selling of live stock in Derby, his
endeavors being met with gratifying results. He now owns one
hundred and sixty acres of choice land, in Union township,
under high cultivation and improved with substantial
buildings. Following
progressive methods, he has succeeded in making his farm one
of the most valuable properties in his locality and can look
with pride upon his achievement.
On
January 2, 1895, Mr. Westfall was united in marriage to Miss
Rose Clarke, a native of Indiana, born April 22, 1875. Her family came
subsequently to Lucas county, Iowa, where they located near
Chariton. Her
parents had eleven children:
Ida, deceased; Oliver, a resident of Osceola, Iowa;
Mrs. Mertie Rich, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Mrs. Mary Martin,
residing in Chariton, Iowa; Frank, of St. Joseph, Missouri;
Mrs. Henry Westfall, of Union township; Mrs. Nettie Swisher,
of Richman township, Wayne county, Iowa; Ray, of Holbrook,
Nebraska; Arthur, of Omaha, that state; Fred, who makes his
home in Los Angeles, California; and Leo, who resides with Mr.
and Mrs. Westfall. The
six older children of this family were born in Indiana, the
succeeding four in Lucas county and the youngest in Clarke
county.
In political matters Mr. Westfall takes the interest of an active, earnest citizen and voter and is a democrat. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Rebekah lodge of Derby, of which his wife is likewise a member. He also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America in Derby. A forceful element in his community, Mr. Westfall has been a strong factor in the advancement of his section and has ever been as considerate of the public interests as of his own prosperity. He is therefore highly respected and esteemed and there are many who are proud to call him friend.