Thomas Henry Westmoreland Biography


	This biography appears on pages 386-389 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				THOMAS HENRY WESTMORELAND. 

	The great grain producing prairies of South Dakota provide an 
excellent business field for the grain merchants as well as the 
producers of cereals. To the former class belongs Thomas Henry 
Westmoreland, of Letcher, who is manager of the Farmers, Elevators. In 
this connection he controls interests of importance that provide an 
excellent market to the farmer who raises grain and broad opportunity 
to the man who desires to successfully dead therein. A native of 
England, he was born at Boston, Lincolnshire, January 10, 1880, his 
parents being Thomas and Mary Jane (Welch) Westmoreland. The father, 
now a retired miller, resides in Los Angeles, California, but the 
mother died during the; boyhood of her son Thomas. The latter was 
educated in the grammar and high schools of his native city and came to 
the United States in 1893. Making his way into the interior of the 
country, he settled at Waukee, Iowa, where he became connected with the 
grain trade as an employee of the Neoha Elevator Company in the 
capacity of bookkeeper. He was promoted through various positions to 
that of manager during the eight years of his residence at Waukee and 
dater he went upon the road as traveling auditor for the same company, 
continuing in that capacity until 1907, when he went to Letcher to 
establish the Farmers, Elevator at that place. He has built up one of 
the very largest grain handling enterprises in the state, has one of 
the most thoroughly modern and up-to-date plants and is conducting one 
of the most thoroughly successful farmers, elevators in South Dakota. 
He has every facility for handling and shipping the grain and he keeps 
in close touch with market prices, being thus able to make judicious 
purchases and profitable sales. A fine plant at Cuthbert is also 
operated by the same company, all under Mr. Westmoreland's management. 
This does not constitute the extent of his activities, however, for he 
is a director of the Citizens Bank of Letcher and is secretary of the 
Letcher Light & Power Company. 

	On the 31st of December, 1906, Mr. West Moreland was united in 
marriage to Miss Dora Pratt, of Jefferson, Iowa, and they have one son, 
Harry Elmer, born August 26, 1909. Their home is one of the most 
attractive residences in Letcher and is characterized by a warmhearted 
hospitality that makes it a favorite resort with their many friends. 
For recreation Mr. Westmoreland turns to outdoor sports and motoring. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and 
the Modern Woodmen, and he gives his political allegiance to the 
democratic party but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for 
party fealty. He belongs to the Congregational church, in which he is 
serving on the board of trustees, and he is much interested in the 
advancement of the church. He belongs to that class of business men 
whom the world terms self-made and an analyzation of his life record 
shows that his prosperity hats been gained by earnest effort, close 
application and straightforward dealing. His character finds expression 
in good habits and a course of conduct that commends him to the 
confidence and goodwill of all. He has never had occasion to regret his 
determination to try his fortune in the new world, for here he has 
found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has 
made steady advancement.