Martin W. Westfall

Martin W. Westfall, proprietor of the hotel at Leroy which bears his name, was born April 17, 1843, in Lyons, Wayne Co., N.Y., and is the son of James and Elizabeth Westall. When he was 16 years of age, his parents removed from his native State to Lenawee Co., Mich., and settled at Hudson. He took possession of a rented farm a year later, which he conducted several years, coming thence in August, 1866, to Osceola County. He located on a farm and was one of the first settlers north of Reed City. He lived on the place where he made a claim five years, and improved 20 acres. Meanwhile, he operated on the road grade of the track of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, between Ashton and Leroy, and he "got out" 10,000 ties for the road. Subsequently he bought out a man who was making prepartations to erect a block-house hotel, but before his arrangements were complete he changed his plan and drew the lumber 12 miles for the building of a frame structure for the same purpose, which was the first building at Leroy. He had a large number of boarders, chiefly railroad men, and at one time numbering 100. He has since built two structures for hotel purposes, the first having been consumed by fire. In 1872 he took possession of the Westfall House, of which, together with three village lots, he is the proprietor. He owns, besides, 80 acres of land under good cultivation, in Newaygo County.Politically he adheres to the present principles of the Democratic party. He has been Treasurer of his township two years, and is present Village Marshall.

He was married Dec. 25, 1864, to Frances E. Fairchild. She was born Oct 12, 1841, in Bath, Steuben Co., N.Y., and came with her parents to Hillsdale Co., Mich., when she ws two years old. Robert M. Westfall is an adopted child.When 17 years old Mr. Westfall enlisted, enrolling as a soldier in the Union Army, Nov. 29, 1861, in the 27th N.Y. Inf., and was assigned to Co. B. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, and was discharged in June 1863. Mr. Westfall participated in eleven battles and some minor skirmishes, escaping unhurt from battle casualties. He took a sever cold which settled in his head and caused permanent loss of hearing. Four of his brothers enlisted, and all escaped injury save two who received slight wounds.

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