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Luther Westover - Obituary (1817-1884)

Transcribed by Marvin Kusmierz (Feb. 2004)

The Daily Tribune - Tuesday, November 14, 1884 Death of Luther Westover ____________ Hon. Luther Westover, one of the most prominent citizens of the Saginaw Valley, became deceased at about 8 o'clock Sunday evening at his residence at the corner of Center and Van Buren streets, this city, in the presence of his wife and relatives of the family, at the age of 67 years, 6 months and 23 days. Luther Westover was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 24, 1817. His parents, Luther and Catherine Westover, were of English and Irish descent. His education was obtained in the common school and at Westfield academy. At 20 years he left school and lent his efforts on the farm to the support of his widowed mother, after the death of his father in 1841. In 1845, having a desire to enter active business life, he went to Canada and bought a cargo of lumber which he shipped to Connecticut, and realizing a snug profit, he returned to Canada where he entered the business of manufacturing on a small scale. In this he was successful, surmounting all obstacles in his business career. In 1865, he removed to Bay City, where he became prominently identified with the lumber industry, then in its infancy in Michigan. During the period intervening between 1856 and 1974 he was a member of the lumbering firms of Westover & Ramsdell, Smith, Westover & Co., and afterward Smith & Westover. The last name firmed became largely interested in the pine lands in Bay and Iosco counties in 1865, which led to Mr. Westover's removal here. In 1867, Mr. Westover organized the Exchange Bank, at that time one of the most sound and best conducted banks in the Saginaw Valley. Six years later this bank was sold to the State Bank, of which Mr. Westover was a director. In 1869 and 1870 decease was a member of the state legislature. While in the house he took an active part in procuring the stock and securing the location of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad of which he was a director for three years. He was more or less identified with the public enterprises of the city. He was numbered among the wealthy and most substantial business men of the Saginaw Valley. At the time of his death he was a director of the Second National and Bay county savings banks. His death was the result of a paralytic stroke with which he was taken four day before. Two years ago he suffered a like affliction and recovered, but since then he has not enjoyed his former health or strength. He leaves a wife and an adopted daughter. The funeral will take place from the residence, corner of Center and Van Buren streets, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.