BIO: William B. Westlake, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
________________________________________________

Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 260-261.
________________________________________________ 

  WESTLAKE, WILLIAM BURROUGHS, A. M., was born in Newburgh, N.Y., on 
September 27, 1831, and died in Dallas, Luzerne County, Pa., on October 
11, 1897.
  His early life was passed upon his father's farm in Orange Lake, N.Y.
  He was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at twelve 
years of age.
  In 1859 he graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., from 
which institution he received the degree of A. M. in after years.  In 
early manhood he taught school for a livelihood - in fact, continued at 
this work until he entered the ministry.  Among his positions as 
teacher were Fort Plain, N.Y., Valley Female Institution, Winchester, 
Va., and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa.
  He joined Wyoming Conference in 1863 while still engaged at the 
seminary, and during the summer of the same year was appointed to Henry 
Street, Binghamton, to fill the vacancy made by Rev. William Wyatt's 
accepting a chaplaincy in the army.  He was reappointed to Henry Street 
in 1864.
  On October 27, 1875, he married Miss Elizabeth Emory, of West 
Pittston.  Two sons were born to them, who with the wife survive him.
  He was one of the Wyoming Conference Trio, Revs. J. C. Leacock and J. 
B. Sumner being the other members.  Their music has been a delight to 
many for long years.  In fact, the writer heard them at Chautauqua 
twenty-five years ago, and was charmed by their music.  Their last 
singing was at the Wyoming District ministerial meeting at Carverton, 
Pa., October 4-5, 1897.
  His ministry was made memorable by some great revivals, specially at 
Owego, Jermyn, and Waverly.
  His going was sudden.  On Sunday, October 10, he preached at Dallas 
in the morning, and in the afternoon at Alderson, on an adjoining 
charge, he preached and administered the sacrament.  In the evening, as 
he attempted his usual service at Dallas, he was taken sick in the 
opening of the service.  The next day he passed away.  His body was 
laid to rest in the Forty Fort cemetery.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1863, Professor in Wyoming 
Seminary, and Henry Street, Binghamton; 1864, Henry Street, Binghamton; 
1865-67, Owego; 1868-70, Waverly, N.Y.; 1871-72, Susquehanna; 1873-74, 
West Pittston; 1875-77, Onconta; 1878, Montrose; 1879-81, Moscow; 1882-
84, Hawley; 1885-87, Jermyn; 1882-92, Peckville; 1893, Parrish Street, 
Wilkes-Barre; 1894-97, Dallas.