Westfall, Adam
Birth
Adam Westfall was born in Berne on March 16, 1844 to George Westfall (B. Feb 14, 1803, D. June 21, 1886) and Patience Durfee (B. June 20, 1804, D. April 23, 1884).[1][2] He was the youngest boy of nine children.[2]
Marriage & Children
After he returned from the Civil War in about 1866, Adam married Emma Jane St. John (B. bet Aug 12, 1850-Dec 31, 1850, D. 1922), who was the daughter of Adaniron L. St. John and his wife Mary.[2][3]
They had three children:
- Frederick Westfall (B. Sept 7, 1867, D. July 24, 1939)[2]
- Lorenzo J. Westfall (B. abt 1874, D. Feb 16, 1941)[2]
- Charles W. Westfall (B. 1877, D. Oct 2, 1942)[2]
Military Service
| Residence: | Berne[1] |
| Place of Birth: | Berne, NY [1] |
| Date of Birth: | 16 March 1844 [1] |
| Names of Parents: | George (Westfall) and Patience Durfee[1] |
| Marital Status: | Single[1] |
| Occupation: | Farmer [1] |
| Term of Enlistment: | 1 year [1] |
| Enlistment Date: | 29 August 1864 |
| Enlistment Place: | Albany, New York |
| Enlistment Rank: | Private |
| State Served: | New York |
| Regiment: | 80th Infantry[4][5] |
| Regiment: | 20th Infantry[6][5] |
| Company: | Company K[6][5] |
| Muster Out Date: | 17 Jun 1865 [4] |
| Muster Out Place: | Richmond, VA[4] |
| Service Length: | 10 months[6] |
| Additional Remarks: Enlisted age 19.[4] The 80th Infantry was formed from the reorganization of the 20th militia. |
| Sources Used: Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers; 1865 census Berne, Albany Co., NY; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War; 1890 US Veterans Census; Civil War Pension Index, Ancestry.com |
Life
Adam lived in Berne with his parents and siblings through 1865.[7] [8][9] [10] In the 1865 NY State Census he was recorded as being in the army.[10]
In 1870 he was living in Duanesburg, Schenectady County with his wife Emma and their eldest son Frederick, who was only 2 yrs of age. Adam owned property and was recorded as a farmer.[11]
By 1880 he and his young family had returned to Berne, where they were living with Adam's parents George and Patience. Adam continued to work as a farmer.[12]
Adam was recorded in the 1890 US Veterans Census as living in West Berne and no disabilities were noted.[6] However a year later on June 1, 1891 he filed for a Civil War invalid pension.[5] Adam Westfall was a member of the GAR.[3]
In 1900 Adam and his wife were living with their youngest son Charles who had recently been married. Adam owned a mortgaged farm which he and Charles were apparently farming.
He was a member of the Reformed Church.[13]
Death
Adam Westfall died June 21, 1901 in Berne and was buried at the Beaverdam Cemetery there. After his death his wife Emma filed for a Civil War widow pension on July 20, 1901.[5]
His wife Emma lived for many more years dying in 1922.[3] She was buried along side her husband at Beaverdam Cemetery.[3] Their burial plots are marked by a large grey granite gravestone with WESTFALL carved in its base. It reads: G.A.R., Adam Westfall, Co. K 20th Reg. NY S Mil, 1844-1901, Emma J. St. John, 1850-1922"[3]
2008, by Thomas Dunne
Obituary
Obituary from newspaper clippings from Hon. and Mrs. Franklin M. Shultes scrapbook
(West Berne) After an illness of only two days, the community was shocked to learn of the death of Adam Westfall. The funeral was held from the Reformed church on Sunday.[13]
Additional Research Notes
Additional Media
Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Bernehistory.org
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Beaverdam Cemetery gravestones, Berne, NY
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ancestry Military Databases
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Civil War Pension Index at Ancestry.com
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 1890 US Veterans Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 1850 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 1855 NY State Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 1860 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 1865 NY State Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 1870 US Census, Duanesburg, Schenectady Co, NY
- ↑ 1880 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Obituary from newspaper clippings from Hon. and Mrs. Franklin M. Shultes scrapbook
