Other Names Mentioned in Pension File

Charles E. Barr
John F. Bassing
Thos. Bennett
Abbie Burkle
Verne Burkle
William Burkle
Mrs. W. J. Burkle (Abbie)
Isaac Burlingame
A. H. Clark
George L. Connelly
Edward Costello
F. Dougall
Thomas Elliot
Thomas Farmer
William Flugga
Joseph Gaber
Dr. Charles E. Gibson
Josephine Gorby
D. H. Heskett
John W. Hill
J. Ellwood Hughes
Dr. Milton Jenkins
W. H. Jones
Andrew Kerm
Milton Kraus
Jas M. Leite
Thomas Lighthill
Daniel Lucas
Rev. J. Mansell
John McAdams
Ernest MCoy
Alfred Pugh
J. M. Richards
Sarah Richardson
Charles B. Reddeck
Andrew Roeder
Robert D. Thompson
Andrew Turman
Jacob Weddle
Arthur V. Westlake
T. O. Williamson
C. Roy Westlake
George L. C. Westlake
James B. Westlake
Dr. William Williamson
Waldo E. Yeater

Pension File for Jeremiah Westlake

Military Service

A 43 Ohio Vol. Infantry
enlisted October 1, 1861
deserted Septemer 23, 1862

Co. A Pa Infantry
Private Tylers Indpt.
enlisted June 25, 1863
discharged January 28, 1864

C. 107 Pa Inf
enlisted September 13, 1864
discharged June 6, 1865 in Harrisburgh, Pa

War Department file states that Westlake was Pivate, & Corporal
from September 13, 1864 to February 28, 1865

Westlake claimed a pension due to disabling rheumatism
contracted in Weldons Raid, Va in December, 1864

War Department Record of Pension Division
July, 1891 Report on Jeremiah Westlake

Medical record showed
J. Westlake, Priv. Co. F 107 Pa at various dates from Sept 23 to Oct. 6.64 Gonorrhoea
returned to duty; as Jeremiah Westlake, Priv Co. C March 23 to 24/65 Diarrhoea Ac, returned to duty.
Nothing additional found

Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions
June, 1895 Report on Jeremiah Westlake
Co. A 43 Reg't Ohio Inf.
enrolled Oct 1, 1861
deserted Sept. 23, 1862

present except as follows:
June 30/62 deserted
June 5/62 special muster
Aug 18/62 present date ret'd from desertion not stated.
Descriptive list of deserters dated June 30/63 reports [illegible word]
as deserter Aug 2/62
excepted Sept 23/62.
This man deserted Sept. 23/62 from this organization and enlisted June 30/63 under the name Jeremiah Westlake in Capt. Tyler's Unattached Batty Pa. L. Arty. & Sept. 13, 1864 in Co. C. 107 Pa, Inf in violation of the 22nd (now 50th) article of war.
Application for removal of the charge of desertion for an honorable discharge was denied.

George Connelly in this Pension File

George L. Connelly married Mary A. Richards in Ohio County, West Virginia September 15, 1861
marriage aforesaid performed by Rev. Wesley

George and Mary had no children at the time of his death.

Sergeant George L. Connelly mustered September 25, 1861
Killed in action New Market, Virginia May 15, 1864

Letter
from
Jacob Weddle December 25, 1864
Cumberland, Maryland
to
Surgeon Jas M. Liete
U.S. Vols.
Medical Director

Dr.
Your communication of the 24 inst is received in regard to Sergeant George L. Connelly formerly of the "A" 1st West Va., Vol. Infantry, and I take pleasure in making the following statement in his case.
I certify that George L. Connelly was 1st Sergeant of the Co. "A" 1st West Virginia Vol. Infantry under the command of 2nd Lieut Thomas M. Simpson and during the action at New Market on the 15th day of May, 1864, said George L. Connelly was killed at the head of his company while bravely performing his duty. Lieut. Simpson commanded Co. "A" during the action above mentioned.>br> I remain Sir
Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt
Jacob Weddle
Lt. Col. Comd (formerly)
1st West Va Vol Infty

Declaration for Invalid Pension

Jeremiah Westlake's claim for pension was rejected July, 1890, January, 1891 and July, 1894

Original Application
July 12, 1893
Freedom, Beaver County, Pa

I contracted rheumatism above Jan 1st 64 while in army and I was confined to bed about 2 weeks. Right arm and foot were then affected. Inter of 88 and 89 I was confined to house with rheumatism about 4 weeks. The disease is worst in shoulders, elbows and right arm, parts affected ache most of the time, sometimes painful[illegible word] I feel stiff all over. Heart ofte beats too hard and I get short of breathe. 2nd digestion is poor, often pain in stomach and it bloats, I often [illegible word] up stuff which tastes of what I have eaten, bowels generally regular-can work about half time at light work.

Examination found

pulse rate 82
respiration 18
temperature n
height 5 ' 41/2 "
weight 126

Formerly shoemaker, now he keeps boats on Ohio river for hire-general appearance denotes only fair nutrition muscles poorly developed bu rather firm, hands indicate some light work, yes normal in appearance, urinary organs perform their functions well.
Rheumatism no definite history of acute articular rheumatism but a history of repeated attack of the muscular form. He complains of tenderness on pressure over the humeral and shoulder muscles also over the elbow back knee joints and the upward movements of arms are slow and rather stiff indicating muscular soreness but there is no absolute limitative of motion, no contraction of any muscles or tendons, comparative measurements show no atrophy of one group of muscles over that of another, no enlargement of any joints. Heart apex impulse in normal position no measured dullness, action irregular being now fast and feeble, now somewhat slower and stronger, and intermits from 3 to 6 times per minute-sound is ill defined otherwise no abnormal sounds. Pulsatious sitting 84, standing 92, after exercise 128. no [illegible word] or dyspnaea. For muscular rheumatism and functional disease of heart we rate six eighteenth.
2nd--"poor digestion" tongue somewhat coated and rather dry skin wanting in normal life-like appearance but not sallow. He complained of tenderness on palpative over stomach otherwise no tenderness or lymp[illegible] over any part of abdomen which is regular in contour can detect nothing abnormal with liver spleen or [illegible word]. For atonic dyspepsia we rate four eighteenths. Excepting the above we find no disability.

The following is information Jeremiah Westlake provided the pension office

Columbiana County, Ohio
May 28, 1908
Jeremiah Westlake
62 of age
resident of East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio

enrolled at Allegheny, Penna. September 13, 1864 as a private in Co. C. 107 Pa Vol Infty.
honorably discharged June 6, 1865 near Washington, D.C.
that he also served in Tylers Indpt Batty Pa L.A. and in Co. A 43d Ohio Infty vols.

Personal description
5' 5"
dark complexion, dark eyes, dark hair
Shoemaker
born December 7, 1845 in Bellaire, Ohio
lived in Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio since service.
Upon this application not a pensioner
affidavit witnessed by
John F. Bassing
T. O. Williamson

Jeremiah Westlake provided the additional information July 30, 1908

First enlistment Bellaire Ohio, October 1, 1861
Since discharge had lived in Brilliant, Ohio, Bethesda, Ohio, Freedom, Pa., Mingo Jct., Ohio East Liverpool, Ohio.
present address 661 Walnut street, East Liverpool, Ohio
Not able to do any work
weight 140
brown eyes, grey hair, dark sallow complexion
the name J. Westlake tattooed in blue ink on left front forearm

married Mary A. Westlake, a soldier's widow, previously Mrs. Mary A. Connelly
marriage license recorded at St. Clairsville County Clerk, Belmont Co.
Not previously married

Geo L. C. Westlake born Nov. 21, 1872
C. Roy Westlake, born Oct. 20, 1874
James B. Westlake, born Feb. 24, 1876
Arthur V. Westlake, born May 30th, 1884

did not receive any gratuaties or bounties, or go as a subsitute when enlisted in Tyler Indpt Batty. or in A. 43 Ohio Vol. Infty
In his third enlistment he went as substitute for John W. Hill, Armstrong Co., Pa. Sept 13th, 1864 at Allegheny City, Pa. Received $1000 in full.
affidavit witnessed by
Thomas Elliot
Isaac Burlingame

Maiden name of wife, Mary A. Westlake, was Richards
Wife married to Geo. L. Connelly who was killed in battle at New Market, Va.
Connelly served in Co. A. 1st W.Va. Inf. under Capt. Jacob Weddel.
All the previously named children were still living.

Affidavits for Jeremiah Westlake's Pension Application

Neighbor's Affidavit
January 31, 1891
Charles E. Barr, aged 4
Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio

First became acquainted with claimant in 1886 knew him then and all the time since to suffer a great deal with rheumatism. he was a shoemaker in 1886 and has been ever since has had no bad habits or intemperances, would say that the above disability has been the caue of his losing 1/2 times from his usual occupation and is increasing with age. know above facts by living within three miles and less of claimant during above time and seeing him on an average of one a week since 1886. Knew of Dr. William Williamson of Sistersville Tyler Co., W.Va. treating claimant for rheumatism in 1876 and 1877 and that said Dr. Wm. Williamson has now been dead eight years.

Neighbor's Affidavit
January 31, 1891
Josephine Gorby, aged 36
Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio

First knew Jeremiah Westlake in 1887 to present time to be affected with rheumatismhave during that time been neighbor and should say he has lost 1/8 time by reason of above disability as I often go in his shop when he has plenty of work and find him lying down unable to do his work so that he has los a great deal of his trade by being unable to do the work and seems to be growing worse with age and know him to be a sober industrious man. My information is derived from being near neighbor and seeing him on average of almost daily for these last four years.

Neighbor's Affidavit
Belmont County, Ohio
March 23, 1891
Daniel Lucas
aged 54
resident of Bellaire, Ohio

I am acquainted with the claimant J. Westlake and have known him since the year 1866, when he was discharged from the service. He was sick at the time suffering (as he claimed) from rheumatism, and he was under the treatment of Dr. W. Junkins at that time. He is now still suffering from the rheumatism and can not as believe perform manual labor, he could not make more than half time at it now.
witnessed
Andrew Roeder
Andrew Kerm

Neighbor's Affidavit
Andrew Turman, aged 57
March 23, 1891
Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio

I did not know said soldier before nor during the late war. I became intimately acquainted with him in the fall of 1865 in Bellaire Ohio. I saw him about once a week up to about 1883. Since 1883 I have saw him about once in three months to the present time no year I have missed seeing him during all of said time he has complained of rheumatism. I knew of Dr. Milton Jenkins treating said soldier in about 1870 for Rheumatism and at diferent times up to about 1872. I further state that I am in no way related to claimant.

Physician's Affidavit
Dr. F. Dougall
Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio
no date given

I treated Mr. J. Westlake for rheumatism during the month of Jan 1889. My diagnosis thus was rheumatism situated in the muscles of the back and shoulder. I prescribed the usual rheumatic remedies which for a period alleviated the trouble. During the intervening time I have acted in the capacity of physician to his family and attended Westlake in October 89. Said claimant being confined to his bed having contracted a severe cold which aggravated his rheumatic troubles. The above disability is not amendable to treatment and treatment only lessens the degree of suffering for the time. I will, after careful consideration of his disease place his disability at (one half).

Neighbor's Affidavit
Beaver County, Pa. January 10, 1894
Robert D. Thompson
aged 30
resident of Freedom, Pa

I as a practising pharmacist know Mr. Westlake to be affected by rheumatism and stomach trouble judging by my knowledge of these diseases and the treatment which his prescriptions indicate. And I have every reason to believe they have not been caused by vicious habits. He is disabled about one half from performing manual labor in consequence of said disabilities. This affidavit was written by me Robt. D. Thompson on the tenth day of January 1894 at Freedom, Pa and I was not aided or prompted by any written or printed statement or recital prepared or dictated by any other persons and not attached as an exhibit to my testimony.

Neighbor's Affidavit
Beaver County, Pa.
Thomas Lighthill, aged 56
January 10, 1894

That he has been acquainted with Jeremiah Westlake the above claimant for the last eight or nine years, when I first got acquainted with him he complained of having stomach trouble. Above claimant at our first acquaintance complained more of Rheumatism then stomach trouble. This Affiant has peronsal knowledge that above claimant is compelled to lay off work, not being able to work on account of said disabilities. I believe he is disabled on about one half from performing manual labor on account of said disabilities. This affidavit was written by Frederick S. Duerr a Justice of Peace in my presence from my own oral statement at Freedom, Beaver County, Pennsylvania on the tenth day of January 1894, and I was not aided or prompted by any written or printed statement or recital prepared or dictated by any other person, and not attached as an exhibit to my testimony. I know these facts from living in the same neighborhood, seeing him frequent, seeing him suffer,and hearing him complain.

Neighbor's Affidavit
Beaver County, Pa.
William H. Flugga
January 22, 1894

That he has been personally acquainted with the above claimant Jeremiah Westlake for the last six or seven years, have lived in the same town for the last five years. This affiant has personal knowledge that the above claimant is suffering with Rheumatism for the last six years, for the first time of our acquaintance he complained to the affiant about it, and is still complaining of the same, and to the best of my knowledge and belief he is disabled to perform manual labor about one half of his time in consequence of said Rhematism ever since I know him each year up to the present time, and further I would say that it was not caused by claimants vicious habits. I know this by hearing him complain, living in same neighborhood and seeing him often. This affidavit was written by Frederick S. Duerr a Justice of the Peace in the presence of this affiant from his own oral statement at [illegible word] on the 22 day of January 1894 and this affaint was not prompted or aided by any written or printed statement or dictated by any other person and attached as an exhibit hereto.

Letter Freedom, Beaver County, Pa.
March 6, 1895
Dr. Charles E. Gibson

This is to certify that the condition of Mr. Jeremiah Westlake is as follows: He has chronic articular Rheumatism with considerable thickening and roughening of capsule of joints-especially of the shoulder causing pain on motion, soreness and stiffness and very prone to attack of sub acute Rheumatism, an attack of which he has just recovered. He also has chronic tonsillitus, probably rheumatic in origin which is also very prone to take on acute inflammation. He has also chronic gastritis for which I have given him treatment for sometime past. In conclusion will state that owing to Mr. Westlake suffering from Chronic Rheumatism with the consequent changes in the joints he is very much disabled and unfit for manual labor. This statement was written by the affaint from personal knowledge and in making said statement I did not use and was not aided or prompted by any written or printed statements or recitals prepared by any other person not hereto attached as an exhibit to this testimony. My P.O. address is Freddom, Beaver Co, Pa. I further declare that I have no interest in this claim.

Proof of an Officer or Comrade Columbiana County, Ohio March 19, 1895 Thomas Farmer aged 48
also of Co. C. 107 Pa State Vols

While we were at Chapman Farm [Virginia} he was again taken with rheumatism trouble in his shoulders and hips, and in December 1864 he was granted a 15 day furlough on account of his rheumatic trouble, and from the time he came back to the time he was mustered out, he was troubled with it and very frequently complained of it.

the affiant, being in same company and regiment with him, and coming home together, was personally acquainted with the above information.

witnessed A.H. Clark
Thos Bennett

Thomas Farmer
March 4, 1896
East Liverpool, Ohio

In front of Petersburgh, Va. sometime in December 1864. after the Weldon raid, he complained of having rheumatism and was so bad with it, that he was given a furlough to go home. I think the furlough was for fifteen days-he also complained of having throat trouble about the same time.

Affidavit
Allegheny County, Pa
August 20, 1899
Charles B. Reddeck
aged 53
resident of Allegheny City, Allegheny, Pa
PO address No. 3 Short Windser St., Allegheny, Pa

I remember of Jermiah Westlake having to go to a German Surgeon who was with the 30 31=32 & 34 New York Light Art while Tyler Arty was laying at Maryland Height, Md. During the winter of 1863 & 64 he would report and get medicine from the Doctor I saw him bathe himself at different times at the spring in Maryland Heights where we were quartered I also know he ws excused from duty after New Year 1864 on account of rheumatism.
The above statement was made oral by affiant to H. K. Tyler-at his office Allegheny Pa and was not made from a written or printed statement or dictated or prompted by any other person. The name of the Company was Park Batlers we where enrolled June 26th 1863 to serve 6 months was discharged Jan 28th 1864.

Affidavit
Joseph Gaber, aged 60
N.S. Pittsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
PO no. 321 Jackson St., Pittsburg

I was private Tylers Indpt Pa LA and was enrolled in said company on or about June 16 1863 Allegheny Cit Pa. I did not receive any bounty or gratuity from either the city or county of Allegheny State of Pennsylvania and I do not know of any member of said company that did.

Affidavit
Edward Costello, aged 63
resident of N S Pittsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
July 14, 1908

I was a private Tylers Indpt Pa LA and enlisted on or about June 16, 1863 and served to the Co. was mustered out-I never received any bounty or gratuity of any kind from either the City of Allegheny or the County of Allegheny Pa where I enlisted I have no knowledge of any member of said Co. receiving bounty or gratuity of kind.

Declaration for Mary Westlake's Widow Pension

Grant County, Indiana
November 14, 1918
Mary A. Westlake
78 years of age

Declared that she was born October 14, 1840 in Wheeling, West Virginia
widow of Jeremiah Westlake
previous husband Geo. L. Connelly killed at Battle of New Market, Va May 1864

November 17, 1919 provided additional information

Jeremiah Westlake died in Upland Indiana September 20, 1918

Mrs. Sarah Richardson
Abbie Burkle

Affidavits in Support Of Mary A. Westlake's Widow Pension Claim

Grant County, Indiana
November 14, 1918
Ernest M. Loy

Personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Ernest M. Loy and being duly sworn upon his oath, says: that he is a licensed undertaker and embalmer doing business in the town of Upland, County of Grant, and State of Indiana and that his Post Office address is Upland Indiana. That he had charge of the body of Jeremiah Westlake who died in Upland Indiana September 20th 1918 and that said Mary A. Westlake widow and said soldier lived together as husband and wife until said soldier's death Sept 20 1918 that she has not remarried since the date of said soldiers death. that he has no interest in this claim for pension and is not concerned in its prosecution.

Letter to Commissioner of Pensions
November 6, 1919
from House of Representatives, Washington D.C.
Milton Kraus

Sir:
In the matter of pension claim #1131478, of Mrs. Mary A. Westlake, of Upland, Indiana, as widow of Jeremiah Westlake, who served in Company C, 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, I am now in receipt of a letter from Miss A. Verne Westlake, daughter of the claimant, in which it is said:
"Some time ago I wrote you regarding my mother's pension to which you very promptly replied that you had taken the matter up and would facilitate the matter as much as possible. Now we have been able to send all proof necessary except one thing which is impossible viz: Two affidavits of people who knew father and mother during all their married life and knew they were never divorced. We have moved so much that we can find no one who is still living that can witness for all this period to the time of his death. Father and mother were inseparable to the day of his death. Now this is a technicality that is extremely unjust inasmuch as we have proved numbers of other things which were reasonable and possible, enough I feel to justify the pension.

Mother is slowly dying of cancer of the liver and she worries continually over this matter as she does not want to be a burden to anyone. She has been a good faithful mother and made sacrifices galore during the Civil War to promote the abolition of slavery and I feel that you could press this claim with impunity knowing the circumstances.

We thoroughly appreciate what you have done and will certainly be grateful if you can expedite matters under these circumstances. I forgot to mention that mother is paralyzed beside the trouble which I mention.

I am requesting that the fact that under the circumstances claimant is unable to furnish evidence showing that she and the soldier were never divorced that the claim be given favorable consideration.

We have known Mary A. Westlake all our natural lives remember her 40 and 40 years and we know to our certain knowledge that she was never divorced but her first husband was killed in the army and was not divorced from Jeremiah Westlake and that she lived with him as husband and wife until the soldiers death. Our knowledge of these facts are obtained by seeing her and living near her all our lives.