My Genealogy Hound

PETER M. WESTBROOK. The subject of the following sketch can certainly look back upon a busy life and feel that his labors have not been in vain. He is rewarded by the peace and plenty which surround his declining years, and the rest which he can now take after the hard fight against adverse circumstances and poverty. He is living retired in the town of Tyre, Seneca County, and is one of its oldest and most respected residents.

Mr. Westbrook was born in the town of Montague, Sussex County, N. J., September 28, 1818, and is the son of Jacob S. and Elizabeth (Shimer) Westbrook, also natives of that state. The first of the name in America were two brothers, who came hither from Holland, but just where they first located is not known, although it is very probable they made their home in Ulster County, N. Y., where are now living a number of their descendants. From the great-grandfather down to the present generation all have been farmers.

The grandfather of our subject, Soveryne Westbrook, spent his entire life in New Jersey, while his son Jacob S. left that state when Peter M. was seventeen years of age. He made the trip to Seneca County overland with teams, and, choosing the town of Tyre for his future home, here purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, a part of which is still in the family. The grandfather was born August 3, 1788, and died on his seventy-seventh birthday.

The parental household included six sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years. Of this family our subject was the fifth in order of birth, and with the exception of his brother Alpha, who lives on the old home farm in the town of Tyre, is the only survivor. Although in no sense of the term a politician, the father of this family always voted for Democratic candidates. He was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Peter M. Westbrook regularly attended the schools of his native state, and after coming to New York also carried on his studies here for a time. He worked for his father until attaining his majority, when he worked a farm on shares for one year, gaining thereby a snug little sum of money, out of which he was enabled to lay by $200. He then worked out by the month for several years, each pay-day saving a portion of his hard-earned money, it being his ambition to become the owner of his own property. About this time he entered into partnership with a brother and purchased a tract of fifty acres in the town of Tyre, which shortly proved to be a very poor investment. He was not discouraged, however, and his present condition in life only goes to prove the success which will be meted out to everyone who is brave in overcoming obstacles.

Mr. Westbrook was married when about twenty-six years of age to Miss Phebe Munson, then living in the town of Tyre, although she, too, was a native of New Jersey. She was brought to this state by her parents, Stephen and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Munson, who became well-to-do residents of this section. To our subject and his estimable wife there were granted two daughters: Lovina E., born April 13, 1846; and Ella V., July 10, 1848. The latter married James R. English, and they have a family of three children. The elder daughter is the wife of William A. Burling, a substantial agriculturist of this town, whose sketch follows this. Mrs. Westbrook departed this life March 20, 1895, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.

In the year 1847 our subject purchased one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land where he now lives, and in 1865 bought eighty-five acres more, this tract joining his estate on the south. His life has been an example to others, showing that where there is a will there is also a way. In politics Mr. Westbrook is a Democrat, and on this ticket was elected Highway Commissioner, holding the office for a period of two years, and accepting as compensation for his services only $19 per year.