West Family Tree

While in the beginning of a revival meeting in Orange, Texas, I was called by telephone to Kerens, Texas, Dec. 21st to conduct the funeral of my old steward, Geo. Middleton Westbrook, who was born in Monroe County, Miss., August 17th 1844. He died Dec. 14th, 1925, aged 81 years, 3 months and 27 days. He came to Texas in 1852, being only 8 years old, living near Chatfield in Navarro County. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, 1861, at Corsicana with General Dick Taylor’s Regiment, Lane’s Division, and served with them 2 years. He was then transferred to Morgan’s Battalion, Parson’s Brigade of Cavalry, with which he served until it was disbanded in April 1865 in the Little Brazos River. He never knew fear and never wavered from his duty as a soldier during his 4 years of service. He was married first to Miss Emma C. Hurst [Hunt] of Chatfield, Texas. To this union was born a daughter who died in infancy, and was followed to the heavenly world by the mother two days later. He was married second to Miss Mary E. Morgan of Bazette, Texas, January 19, 1876. It was my lot as her pastor in 1896 to witness her complete triumph over death through faith in Jesus and to conduct her funeral in the old church at Prairie Point (which is the old Westbrook Church.) Nine children were born to them of whom six still survive, viz. Mrs. C. E. Forbes, and Jack [Zach] Westbrook of Perryton, Texas; Mrs C. W. McClumby [McCluney] and E. Middleton Westbrook of Kerens, Texas; and Mrs. W. A. Askew of Amarillo, Tex. There are 9 grand children and one sister, Mrs. Starling [Sterling] Carpenter of Powell, Texas.

After establishing and running a ranch in 1898 in Ochiltree Co., Texas and living on it for 3 years he moved to Kerens, Texas, in 1912 and organized the First State Bank and served as President until his death, his son being the cashier. He made a public confession of Christ as his own personal Saviour at 36 years of age and served as steward in the M. E. Church, South, or 45 years. He lived in his own beautiful home in Kerens, Texas under the loving care of his two daughters, Miss Maude, until her marriage and then Miss Neita who gently cared for him to the end.

To eulogize Brother Westbrook’s character as a Christian, father, husband and citizen would be to “point the lily’s cheek or gild fine gold.” His humble, lowly, Christian life is its own eulogy. May heaven’s choicest blessings abide with the bereaved family and friends till they too shall meet him “In the City beyond”

W. H. CRAWFORD.
Box 217
Midlothian, Texas

Notes:

Prairie Point Cemetery, Kerens, Navarro Co., TX

Submitted by Jene Westbrook Gibbons Aug 2002

Census
- 1900 Navarro Co. TX ED 106 page 5b
- 1910 Navarro Co. TX ED 88 page 14b

NAVARRO COUNTY PROBATE RECORDS
Box L. Pkg 730
LANDINGHAM, Minors.
G. M. Westbrook appt'd Guard of minors Laura, James, & John heirs
with their married sister Olivia Doyl and father J. A. Landingham
in an estate May 6, 1886.