Notes for Henry Westerbeck

Notes for Henry Westerbeck

!US Census 1870 (16 July) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll M593_388, Sheet 22, Page 482B, House No. 159, Lines 9-17: Philip Westerbeck (b. 1814 - 56 - in Prussia - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $3000 + $830) married to Mary (b. 1813 - 57 - in Prussia). Children listed are: Henry (son b. 1844 - 26 - in Prussia - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $1300 + $400) married to Mary (dau-in-law b. 1849 - 21 - in Prussia); William (son b. 1848 - 22 - in Prussia - Occ: Farm Laborer); Anna (dau b. 1856 - 14 - in IA); Liveright (son b. 1858 - 12 - in IA - Occ: Farm Laborer); Anna (granddau b. 1868 - 2 - in IA); and Bather (granddau b. Mar 1870 - 3/12 - in IA)

!US Census 1880 (17 June) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll T9_337, SD 1 ED 108, Sheet 15, Page 115C, House No. 120, Lines 16-21: Henry Westerbeck (b. 1845 - 35 - in Russia - Occ: Farmer - Fa: Russia and Mo: Russia) married to Christine (b. 1855 - 25 - in Russia - Fa: Russia and Mo: Russia). Children listed (born in IA) are: Lidia (dau b. 1874 - 6); Adam (son b. 1876 - 4); Emma (dau b. 1877 - 3); and Jonas (son b. May 1880 - 1/12)

!US Census 1900 (23-25 June) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll T623_429, SD 1 ED 19, Sheet 20A, Page 297A, House No. 393, Lines 26-36: Henry Wester (b. Mar 1844 - 56 - in Russia - Occ: Farmer - Fa: Russia and Mo: Russia - NOTE: Came to US in 1854 and is not listed as Naturalized) married 25 years to Christine (b. June 1855 - 44 - in Russia - Fa: Russia and Mo: Russia) having 13 children born and 11 still living. Children listed (born in IA) are: Adam (son b. Dec 1875 - 24 - Occ: Farm Laborer); James (son b. Apr 1880 - 20 - Occ: Farm Laborer); Mary (dau b. Mar 1881 - 18); Henry (son b. Aug 1883 - 16 - Occ: Farm Laborer); Joseph (son b. Mar 1885 - 15); John (son b. Feb 1887 -13); Philip (son b. July 1888 - 11); Zola (dau b. Mar 1892 - 8); Matie (dau b. Apr 1895 - 5); and Effie (dau b. Dec 1896 - 3)

!US Census 1910 (20 April) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll T624_400, SD 1 ED 19, Sheet 3A, Page 108A, House No. 32, Lines 28-32: Henry Westerbeck (b. 1845 - 65 - in Germany - Occ: Farmer - Fa: Germany and Mo: Germany - NOTE: Came to US in 1854 no listing for Naturalized) married 36 years to Christine (b. 1856 - 54 - in Russia - Fa: Russia and Mo: Russia - NOTE: Came to US in 1873 no listing for Naturalized) having 14 children born and 11 still living. Children listed (born in IA) are: Ida (dau b. 1891 - 19); Mate (dau b. 1894 - 16); and Effie (dau b. 1895 - 15)

!The Biographical Review Of Des Moines Co., Iowa. Printed 1905, copy located in the Burlington, Iowa, Public Library, Genealogy Department, Dewey Decimal #Gen997.796, page 935 & 936 - HENRY WESTERBECK:
"In the year 1854 the Westerbeck family disembarked from a sailing vessel at New Orleans, ascended the Mississippi River to St. Louis, and after remaining ice-bound at that city for two weeks, proceeded on their journey to the scene of their future home, the date of their arrival in Burlington being sometime in March 1854. Of this family, was Henry Westerbeck, who was born in Prussia, Germany, March 25, 1845, a son of Phillip and Mary (Niehous) Westerbeck, eldest of a family of four, the others being William, of Middletown, Iowa; Lipp, of Grand Junction, Iowa; and Anna, now the wife of James Mumme, a resident of Burlington. The father was a laborer, but after ten years of residence in Burlington he decided to become a farmer, and coming to Flint River Township he purchased a tract comprising eighty acres of fine agricultural land. He had his home until the time of his death in 1887, and was very successful, attaining to a comfortable degree of material prosperity. His wife survived him many years, her demise occurring in 1903.
Mr. Westerbeck began his education in the schools of his native land, and after coming to America attended for a time the Burlington public schools. In Burlington he also acquired the mastery of a useful trade, that of coopering, which he learned under the direction of a Mr. Bresser, and followed it continuously for nine years. For the two years following he was in the employ of his father, and then purchased forty acres of land in Flint River township, to which he has since added twenty acres. This farm, on which he has ever since made his home, was then almost in its original state, covered with timber and entirely uncultivated; but by force of diligent and arduous efforts he has made it one of the best producing properties in this section, bringing it under cultivation and adding many modern improvements, doing all his own clearing, erecting a commodious dwelling-house and substantial barns and other buildings.
Mr. Westerbeck has been twice married; first, on Nov. 17, 1867, to Miss Mary Mumme, daughter of James and Mary (Rike) Mumme, and to them were born four children, Anna, Lillie, Lydia, and Andrew. Andrew, the youngest, died at the age of four and one-half years, and the demise of Mrs. Westerbeck occurred March 28, 1873. Mr. Westerbeck's second marriage took place Feb. 10, 1875, when he was united with Miss Christina Humann, daughter of Adam and Caroline (Faul) Humann, Mrs. Westerbeck was born in Russia, as also were her father and mother. They came to America in 1874. Of their union have been born the following children: Adam, who married Miss Minnie Brendemeyer, and lives at New London, this State; Emma, wife of Henry Grupe, of Burlington; James, who resides with his parents; Mary, who is the wife of August Flachmann, and resides on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Westerbeck; and Henry, Joseph, John, Philip, Ida Mata, and Effie, who remain with their parents, besides two who died in infancy, and one son, William who died at the age of one year. All were born and reared in Flint River township, and received their education in the district schools.
Mr. Westerbeck is and attendant of the Lutheran church, to whose support he contributes. While he feels an interest in public affairs, he is not connected with any partisan organization, preferring to act independently; although at the last presidential election he cast his ballot for the regular nominee of the Republican Party, Theodore Roosevelt. By the success which he has attained in the management of his farm he has proved himself a good business man, and has acquired a competency, entirely by his own efforts. He has a large number of friends who will be interested in a review of his career."