WEST FAMILY
This is a summary of what is known about the John D. West family to date. John D. West said to have been born in Liverpool England on 21 June 1842. He came to America in about 1854 at the age of 12. It is not known if he came with his family or alone. On 1 June 1861, John enlisted in the 111th Regiment, Company D. of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. On his application, he gives his name as John W. Culver, born in Warrenborough, Warren County PA, age 21 (which doesn't compute with his birth date). If, indeed, he were born in 1842, this would only make him 19, not 21. It states he was a teamster in the Civil War. A teamster is one who tends horses. He re-enlisted on 21 December 1864 at Wauhatchie, Tennessee. At this time he states his age to be 23. Later on in his Civil War file dated 1863, it shows his age as 21. Now this date and age is then correct if he was born in 1842. He either lied to enlist, or fought for someone else. Nothing is mentioned about his parents or siblings. He was discharged on 27 July 1865, by reason the war ended. From the years 1865 until 1872 no trace of him is found.
The next appearance of John D. is in 1872, when he marries Nancy Chrowl/Crowl on 13 June, in Plymouth, Marshall County IN. Rev. John Knisley performs the ceremony. Where they live after the marriage is unknown. From the birthplaces shown for several of the children, the family moved around a lot. They finally settle in the Michigan City area about 1878. The West family is large consisting of 11 children. According to several obituaries of the children, one was born in Elkhart, IN, one in Toledo OH and another in Plymouth IN. All the others were born in Michigan City, IN. John D. dies at the age of 61 years, two months and nine days, on 30 August 1903, in Michigan City. He died of Heart disease and Brights disease (Brights disease is inflammation of the kidney). In his obituary it states that two sisters living in Pennsylvania survived him at the time of his death. Their names were not listed in his obituary. This indicates he was not an only child. His wife Nancy died on 26 August 1928 at 74 years of age. The cause was chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). Her residence at the time of her death was 120 Pine St. in Michigan City. She remained a widow until 19 November 1910 when she marries Charles Lettau. They have no children. Charles dies on 18 January 1918 and Nancy remains a widow until her death. At the time of her death, she had 37 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Both she and John are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City IN. They both have headstones. Charles Lettau is buried with his first wife, Caroline, in Ludington MI.
The firstborn child is Cassie, as she was known to all, (my grandmother) Her real name might have been Katherine (named for her grandmother, Katherine Hollinger Chrowl). She was born on 9 August 1873 in Elkhart IN. She and her mother, Nancy, share the same birth date. A newspaper article from the Elkhart IN paper dated Aug. 1873 stating the birth of their first child a daughter born to the West family. Name of daughter not mentioned. Cassie married Louis/Lewis (Ludwig Freidrich Carl) Voltz on 24 December 1891 in Michigan City. Rev. J.G. Hoch performed the ceremony, at St. John's United Church of Christ. The have four children. Mabel, born 18 April 1903, Harold Louis, born 12 April 1907, Foushee (Fred my father) was born 19 August 1909 and Alma Katherine born 2 February 1912. Mabel and Harold were born in Grand Rapids, MI, Foushee born in Lexington KY and Alma born in Chicago IL. This indicates this family also moved around a lot. Eldest daughter, Mabel married Oscar Buehlman. They had three children: Ronald, Barbara and Patricia. Harold married Frances Starr; they had no children. Foushee married Eleanor Stibor, had one daughter, Virginia. Alma had a son Louie. Husband Louis died 30 April 1933 in Chicago and Cassie died 24 October 1958 also in Chicago. Both are buried in Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.
William West was born 21 September 1876 in Toldeo, OH. He was married to a lady named Alice. (Maiden name unknown) They had two children, Elsa (Mrs. Lawrence Miller) and a son Charles. William died at his home in Chicago IL. on 21st June 1929. He was well known in Michigan City, having been a resident for many years before moving to Chicago. He would come back often during the summer time to set up a souvenir stand on North Franklin St. One note on year of birth, obit states 1876, but in his father's Civil War file, John D. showed the birth year as 1875. Now this must be substantiated.
Florence M. born 17 October 1877 in Plymouth IN, Marshall County, possibly at the home of Nancy's parents, Dewalt and Katherine Chrowl. Florence's first husband was Thomas Murphy. They were married about 1898. They had two children, Minnie, who was born 10 July 1898 and Catherine, born 25 September 1900. Whether they divorced or Thomas died is unknown. About 1903, Florence marries Grant Keen. They have two children, Harold born 8 February 1905 and Margarite, born 4 January 1910. Florence died about 13 August 1951 at age 73. Grant dies 29 June 1955 at the age of 84. Three daughters, one son, 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren survived him. It was stated that Grant's occupation was a Superior Court Bailiff. Both Florence and Grant are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City IN.
Grace M. was born 21 November 1879. She married William George Wagoner about 1898. They have five known children, Warren born December 1899, Sabria or Sybil (name printed on census not clear but Grace's obit stated Sybil) was born 9 April 1903, George was born 1905, Thelma in 1907 and William R. about April 1909-l910. Grace died 14 June 1918 in Michigan City. She is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. She also had Brights Disease. Husband William died 20 July 1964 at age 85. At the time of his death, two daughters survived him along with two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Nancy J. born 1 February 1882 married first husband Charles N. Keeler before 1903. Exact date is unknown at present time. Charles died July 1918. Nancy marries A. Freshman. Nine children were born to Nancy and Charles: William, Frank, Eugene M. born May 1914, (he dies July 1967) Laura born 24 March 1906 (died Nov 1986,) Nellie born 22 February 1903, Emma, Frances, Florence Born 8 September 1915 (died July 1980) and George Freshman. Nancy died 20 November 1953 in Gary IN at age 71. She had 43 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Martha T.W. born 14 December 1885 married Lynton Hutchinson on 17 August 1905 in St. Joseph MI. They have four children. Leon was born May 1907, no children, 2 wives. Roland married a lady named Estelle. They have one adopted son.
Correction sent in byWayne Ross Hutchinson - 810 Point O' Woods Drive ,
Twin Lakes, WI 53181-9303 Wayne.(Hutchinson@verizon.com)
This is to update info concerning Martha T.W. (What does
the W. stand for?). Anyway, Martha was my grandmother and my father was Roland
Leroy who married Estelle Knierer. To set your record straight, I am not
adopted. I was born in Chicago at St Elizabeths Hosp in 1936 and have seen my
original BC to substantiate it. Also I verified the fact with my Aunt Kate,
(Alfreds wife, still with us at age 93) living in Albuquerque NM near her son
Donald Lee Hutchinson who resides in Corrales, NM.. Not to mention, I am the
'Spittin Image' of both my parents. Roland, (my father) passed away in 1976 and
my mom, (Estelle) died in April 1997 here in my house in Twin Lakes, WI. To
further update, I married Judith Ann Riddle in June 1956. We had five children:
Kathleen Jo, Robert Charles, Margaret (Meg) Sue, Gregg William and James
Michael. Together they have, (so far) produced 13 grand children. All live in
the Twin Lakes, WI or northern IL (Fox Lake & Lindenhurst) area. My wife
Judy, passed away at a very young 61 in May 1999 of lung cancer and I remarried
the former Nancy S. Matthews (nee Cole) in Aug 2000.
(Alfred married Kate, had son Donald (owner of Nancy's Family Bible) and Lillian born 1917 married to Joe Panucci. They had eight children. Martha died 28 July 1964 in Chicago.
George Leroy was born 17 August 1887 in Michigan City. He married Ruth Debre. They had one son Willard born 22 March 1910 (he died in 1966). Willard had three known children, John, Dennis and Linda. The Michigan City Paper Box Company employed Willard. He is buried in Patton Cemetery in LaPorte IN. No information is available on Willard's children at present time. George was a colorful character. Here say has it he had several wives, their names are unknown as is proof of his many wives. He was very active in politics in Michigan City working very hard on the Republican campaigns. He was deputy sheriff from about 1917-1921. In March 1925, George and another man were arrested on charges of "bunco-steering" and impersonating officers. They were released on $2,000 bonds each. They were trying to collect protection money from bootleggers. George involved several of his nephews in his escapades. Being innocent boys, they were not charged when George was arrested for his illegal doings. Hear say, also has it that George was run out of town after a scandal involving a Judge Kemper. This has not been substantiated as yet. It was said that he worked as an insurance agent in Chicago. He would go out personally to collect the premiums carrying a baseball bat. Intimidation was the name of his game. Never fear we are still digging up more information on George. A chrome-plated gun of George's is in the possession of a nephew, Leon Hutchinson. George and Ruth divorced. The exact date is unknown. George died 23 January 1953 in Chicago and is buried in Michigan City IN at Greenwood Cemetery. Ex-wife Ruth died at age 97 in 1989. Ruth was married to Claude Bryant, who was deceased. Ruth is buried in Patton Cemetery in LaPorte IN. Five grandchildren survived her.
Albert Franklin was born 13 December 1889 and died about 1940. All that is known about him is that he had two children, Albert Jr. and Ruth. Nothing else is known.
Elsa born 6 February 1891 married Harry Woodruff. She was still living in 1953 when her brother George died. They had no children. They resided in Hasting MI. No further information is available on her.
Ester Cordelia born 31 May 1893 died 15 November 1935. First husband John Redwine. Unconfirmed they had two children, Martha and John. Ester's second husband was Frank Gilchrist. In 1918 Ester was married to John Redwine, but in 1929 she was married to Frank Gilchrist. At one time they lived in Chicago.
Baby Lewis born 16 June 1896, died 15 March 1897 at 9 months of age. He died of convulsions. A family picture is available dated about 1896-97 prior to Lewis' death.
Nancy Chrowl West was born (private) in Ohio. She was the daughter of Dewalt Chrowl and Catherine Hollinger. Her parents were married (private) in Miami County OH. She was one of 10 children, Saloma, Daniel, Samuel, Rebecca, Julianna, Catherine, Nancy, Sarah, Devolt (Dewalt) and Lydia. About 1867, the Chrowl family, which then consisted of Catherine, Nancy, Sarah, Devolt, and Lydia, moved to Plymouth Indiana where their father purchased an 80-acre farm. The older children were married. Nancy's father Dewalt was born in Montgomery County OH on 1 May 1820. Her mother, Katherine Hollinger, daughter of Daniel Hollinger and Rebecca Landis, was born in March 1820, in White Oak, Lancaster County PA. More information on the Chrowl family is available, but it is too lengthy to include here.
If anyone has any additional information, which was not included here, please drop me a note. I would appreciate anything that can be added to this family history, whether good or bad. Also if the names of any of the children. Grandchildren or great grandchildren are known, please drop me a note and let me know. Addresses of any of them would also be appreciated.
Original article written and donated by: Virginia (Ginny) Voltz Del Marto 2083 High Mesa Drive Henderson, Nevada 89012-2584 - see our Hall of Fame page for most current email address