BIO: Thomas WESTBROOK, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 48-49.
__________________________________________________________________ 

THOMAS WESTBROOK, yardmaster of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Huntingdon, was 
born in what is now called Walker township, Huntingdon county, January 17, 1825.   
His parents, Alexander and Nancy (White) Westbrook, were both natives of 
Huntingdon county, and of English descent; but the family record having been 
lost it is impossible to give dates and places of birth.  They were life-long 
residents of Huntingdon county; Mr. Westbrook was a farmer; he died in 1854, and 
Mrs. Westbrook on December 6, 1842.  Of their family of nine children, the only 
ones now living are Thomas and a sister, Martha, widow of Saxton Barry, who now 
resides in Colorado.
  Thomas Westbrook received a rather limited education in the common schools of 
Huntington.  Early in life he began work for his own support, first as a farm 
"hand" and afterwards on the Pennsylvania canal.  Later he became captain of a 
canal boat, and continued in that occupation until May 1, 1857, when he entered 
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as car inspector, at Huntingdon.  
After three years' service Mr. Westbrook was appointed night train dispatcher, 
in 1860, and on December 1, 1877, was promoted to his present position.  His 
alertness and faithfulness as a railroad official have won for him the respect 
and confidence of his employers. Mr. Westbrook's political preferences are 
Democratic.
  On February 11, 1847, Thomas Westbrook was married near Petersburg, Huntingdon 
county, to Mary E., daughter of Henry and Mary Hefreight, natives of Germany; 
but for many years residents of Huntingdon county.  Of their nine children, four 
are deceased: William Lewis; Frank; Annie; Kate; and Clara.  The survivors are: 
John H. ant George B., of Huntingdon; James R., of Pottsville, Pa.; Mary E. 
(Mrs. John Conrad), of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Margaret (Mrs. Robert Sampson), 
residing in Colorado.  The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.