Story of Oscar Edward Westerhouse and Margaret Esther Lamont Story - Part 1

 Oscar Westerhouse was the middle child of Amos and Sophia Westerhouse.

At the age of eight, Oscar moved with his family to a farm, located at 2372 North 900th Road, in the Captain Creek area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  As a young boy, Oscar worked on his parents' farm, helping with the farming and other chores around the home.  He attended school at the Hopewell East School #68 which was located only a half mile east of his home.

 (L-R) Amos Jr, Oscar, Ethel

Hopewell East School #68 School Photo

Oscar sitting in the front row, holding sign on left

Amos Jr standing back row, second from right 

Leoti Milburn sitting second row - middle

After graduating from eighth grade, he continued to work on the family farm.  His father, Amos Westerhouse, encouraged Oscar and his older brother, Amos Jr, not to smoke and drink.  He would reward them with a pocket watch when they turned twenty-one if they had complied.  Both received a pocket watch.

(L-R) Oscar and Amos Jr Westerhouse - pocket watches

Oscar standing on left - Amos Jr sitting in center

Oscar Westerhouse - far right in football helmet and uniform

Oscar Westerhouse - driving Ford Model T at his father’s farm

After Oscar turned 21, he registered for the World War I Draft 24 August 1918.  The front side of card shows name Oscar Edd Westerhouse, home Eudora Kansas, Age 21, birth Aug 21 1897, birth location Douglas County Kansas USA, native of the United States, Father’s birthplace Douglas County Kansas USA, self-employed in Douglas County, Kansas, nearest relative Amos Westerhouse (father) of RR2 Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. The back side of card shows height tall, build slender, color of eyes blue, color of hair light.

Oscar WWI draft card (front)

Oscar WWI draft card (back)

Eudora Weekly News – 12 Sep 1918

Eudora Weekly News - 14 Nov 1918

Early November 1918, Oscar was notified by the Draft Board to report for duty in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas.  He was being sent to Camp Funston, a U.S. Army training camp located on Fort Riley, 5 miles north of Junction City, Geary, Kansas.  The night before reporting for duty, Oscar and his friends celebrated in Eudora.  That evening, he broke his nose while cranking the car.  The next day, he marched with the other recruits down Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, his nose, and eyes all black, blue, and swollen from the prior evening. Following the march, all the soldiers boarded a train for Camp Funston. 

Oscar described sleeping at Camp Funston on a straw bed in a cold, damp mule barn.  He awoke to news that WWI had ended 11 Nov 1918, the same day he arrived at the Camp.  He spent the next week in training before being ordered to gather his belongings and take the next train back to Lawrence.  He learned the soldiers in the other mule barns had contracted Spanish flu and many of them had died.

After World War I, Oscar was employed as an oil bulk agent by the Standard Oil Company, Dec 1922. He kept a company truck and supplies by the railroad tracks west of Main Street in north Eudora.  As a bulk agent, he supplied farmers in rural Eudora with gas for their farming equipment and home use.

Eudora Weekly News - 28 Dec 1922

Oscar Westerhouse as Standard Oil Bulk Agent with truck

Oscar's father, Amos, purchased a home at 702 Church Street in Eudora, Kansas 31 Dec 1923.  The home was being sold in the Nancy Milburn estate sale.  Oscar's older brother, Amos Jr, married Leoti Milburn 7 Nov 1917, Leoti Milburn, was the granddaughter of Nancy Milburn. Oscar and his father Amos worked to remodel the home for Oscar to live at in the future.

Next week I will share the story about Margaret Lamont before marriage.

Story of Alvin Wheeler Westerhouse and Nancy Marie Taylor

Alvin was one of Amos and Sophia Westerhouse's twin sons. 

Alvin and his brother Allen were twins, born on 9 May 1906. As a young boy, Alvin worked on his parents' farm, helping with farming and other chores around the home. He attended school at the Hopewell East School #68 located a half mile east of his home. While attending school, Alvin played on the Hopewell basketball team. After graduating from eighth grade, he continued his education in Eudora, graduating from Eudora High School May 1926.  

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1915

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1924

After graduating from high school, Alvin attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Crawford, Kansas, working towards a degree in Education. After three years at Pittsburg State University, Alvin moved to Joplin, Jasper, Missouri to start a teaching career in 1929. The 1930 census shows Alvin living at 2114 Joplin Street as a roomer and high school teacher.

Alvin Westerhouse 1930 Federal census for Joplin, Jasper, Missouri

While living in Joplin, Alvin met Nancy M Taylor Ward, who went by the name Billie. She had recently divorced Floyd Ward. Alvin and Billie married 4 Jan 1931 in Carthage, Jasper, Missouri.  

Alvin Westerhouse and Nancy Ward marriage license 4 Jan 1931

Alvin and Nancy made their home at 1832 Moffet Avenue in Joplin, based on the 1933 City Directory for Joplin. The 1940 Federal Census shows them continuing to live there and renting. Lists Alvin working as a carpenter and completed three years of college. Describes Nancy (Billie) not working and completed one year of high school.

Alvin registered for the World War II Draft on 16 Oct 1940.  The Registration card shows his name as Alvin Wheeler Westerhouse; his age 34; living at 1832 Moffet, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri; He was born on May 9 1906 in Eudora, Kansas; telephone as Joplin Exchange and number 5504; Nancy Marie Westerhouse (wife), 1832 Moffet, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri will always know his address; employed as self at 1832 Moffet, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri; race of white; color of his eyes are blue; his hair is brown color; he has height of five feet and ten and half inches and weight of 165; Has a light complexion.

Alvin Westerhouse WWII draft card (front)

Alvin Westerhouse WWII draft card (back)

Billie and Alvin Westerhouse at their Joplin home in the kitchen – 1970

Three generations of twins 

(L-R) Allen Westerhouse, Maxine Westerhouse (Melanie Claggett), 

Eugene Westerhouse (Melissa Claggett), Alvin Westerhouse – Dec 1983

Alvin and Nancy Westerhouse gravestone 

at Mount Hope Cemetery (Webb City, Missouri)

Alvin and Nancy did not have any children. Nancy had a child, Nancy, from her previous marriage. Alvin enjoyed woodworking, making all kinds of bowls, puzzles, and other items. The twins died within 5 months of each other. Allen died in Jun 1986 and Alvin died Nov 1986. 

Story of Allen Herman Westerhouse and Elfrieda Elizabeth Schlegel

Allen was one of Amos and Sophia Westerhouse's twin sons.

Allen and his brother Alvin were twins, born on 9 May 1906. As a young boy, Allen worked on his parents' farm, helping with farming and other chores around the home.  He attended school at the Hopewell East School #68 located a half mile east of his home. While attending school, Allen also played on the Hopewell basketball team. After graduating from eighth grade, he continued his education in Eudora, graduating from Eudora High School May 1926.  

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1915

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1924

Allen met Elfrieda Elizabeth Schlegel, and she went by the name Frieda Schlegel.  They married on 3 Sep 1927 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri by a Congregational Church minister. After marriage, Allen and Frieda are listed in the 1930 census living at 1020 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. The census shows Allen working at a filling station and Frieda working at a physician's office.

Allen Westerhouse and Elfrieda Schlegel 

marriage application and license - 3 Sep 1927

Elfrieda Schlegel and Allen Westerhouse Wedding - 3 Sep 1927

During the late 1930's, Allen and Frieda moved back to Eudora living at the corner of Elm and old highway-10. Soon after, they purchased a grocery store and Standard Oil service station.  

Allen Westerhouse working at his Standard Oil service station

13 Feb 1935, Frieda gave birth to their only son, Robert Allen, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. After Robert was born, Frieda continued to work at the grocery store and Standard Oil service station.  

Allen registered for the World War II Draft on 16 Oct 1940. The Registration card shows his name as Allen Herman Westerhouse; his age 34; living at Eudora, Kansas; He was born on May 9 1906 in Douglas, Kansas; telephone as number 117; Elfreida Sophie Westerhouse, Eudora, Kansas will always know his address; employed as self at Eudora, Douglas, Kansas; race of white; color of his eyes are blue; his hair is brown color; he has height of five feet and eleven inches and weight of 180; Has a light complexion.

Allen Westerhouse WWII draft card (front)

Allen Westerhouse WWII draft card (back)

Allen began working in home constructions under the name Herren and Westerhouse Construction. The company worked on large construction projects in the Lawrence area.  Allen was elected Republican mayor of Eudora for two terms from 1949 through 1953. During 1960 Allen and Frieda built a new home at 1015 Elm Street in Eudora, soon after, Allen retired in 1967.

(L-R) Allen, Amos Jr, Oscar Westerhouse - Mar 1975

Three generations of twins 

(L-R) Allen Westerhouse, Maxine Westerhouse (Melanie Claggett), 

Eugene Westerhouse (Melissa Claggett), Alvin Westerhouse – Dec 1983

Allen Westerhouse obituary 

Lawrence Daily Journal World - 18 Jun 1986

Allen Westerhouse funeral card - 17 Jun 1986

Elfrieda Westerhouse obituary 

Lawrence Journal World - 3 Jan 2002

Elfrieda Westerhouse funeral card - 5 Jan 2002

Allen and Elfrieda Westerhouse gravestone 

at Eudora City Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

Story of Ethel Molly Westerhouse and Ralph Isac Votaw

 Amos and Sophia Westerhouse only daughter and second oldest was Ethel Westerhouse. 

As a young girl, Ethel, worked on her parents' farm, helping with farming and other chores around the home. She attended school at the Hopewell East School #68, located two miles north of her home. At the age of eleven, Ethel moved with her family to a farm, located at 2372 North 900th Road, in the Captain Creek area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  After graduating from eighth grade on 24 Jun 1909, she continued to work on the family farm. 

Ethel Westerhouse

Ralph was born 29 Mar 1897 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa before his family moved to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.

Ralph Votaw Delayed Certificate of Birth

Ethel married Ralph Votaw 31 May 1917 at her parents' home. She and Ralph Votaw settled on a farm located in the Hesper area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. They became members of the Hesper Friends Church. 

Ethel Westerhouse and Ralph Votaw marriage license - 25 Apr 1917

Ralph registered for the World War I draft 5 Jun 1918. The front side of the card shows name Ralph I Votaw, home RR #1 Eudora, Kansas. Age 21, birth Mar 29 1897, birth location Albia Iowa USA, citizen natural- born, race white, occupation farmer, Eudora, Kansas. The back side of card shows height medium, build medium, eyes blue, hair light brown.

Ralph WWI draft card (front)

Ralph WWI draft card (back)

Ralph registered for the World War II Draft on 15 Feb 1942.  The Registration card shows his name as Ralph Votaw; his age 44; living at R.R. #1, Eudora, Kansas; he was born on Mar 29 1897 in Iowa; telephone as Eudora exchange and number 5915; Ethel Votaw, Eudora, Kansas will always know his address; employed as farmer; race of white; color of his eyes are blue; his hair is brown color; he has height of five feet and ten inches and weight of 160; Has a Ruddy complexion.

Ralph Votaw WWII draft card (front)

Ralph Votaw WWII draft card (back)

Ralph and Ethel Votaw sixtieth wedding anniversary 

Eudora Enterprise - 18 May 1979
 

Ethel Votaw obituary (Lawrence Journal World) - 18 Feb 1980

Ethel Votaw funeral card - 20 Feb 1980

Ralph Votaw obituary (Lawrence Journal World) - 25 Jun 1981

Ralph Votaw funeral card - 27 Jun 1981

Ethel and Ralph Votaw gravestone at

 Hesper Friends Church Cemetery (Hesper, Kansas)

Ethel and Ralph described

Ethel baked delicious pies, was a good cook, raised chickens, and sold the eggs. Ralph was a farmer and served as a trustee of the Eudora Township board for 27 years.