Henry E. Westlake, Comptroller for the city of Sault de Ste. Marie and a member of the firm of Westlake & Vogel, prominent and popular contractors, is a native of the Empire State, born in Erie county on the 21st of June 1856. His father, Abram Westlake, was born in N.J. and married Elizabeth Perine. In their family were four children - Henry E.; Milton; Della wife of Charles Annis of Linden MI; and Mary. About 1868 the parents came with their family to Michigan, locating in Genesee county, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits.

Henry E. Westlake was a lad of 12 at the time of the removal and in the Linden high school completed his literary education. He then began fitting himslef for life's duties by learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served a regular four years appreticeship, gaining in that time and excellent knowledge of the business and becoming familiar with every detail of the work. He then worked in Linden and vicinity until 1880, when he removed to St. Ignace, remaining in that place until 1883. That year witnessed his removal to Marquette, Michigan and in September 1885, he came to Sault de Ste. Marie, whre he has since engaged in contracting and building. On all sides stand evidence of his handiwork, which add to the beauty and substantial appearance of the city. In 1888 the firm of Westlake, Irwin & Vogel was formed and continued under the name, doing a profitable business, until the fall of 1893, when Mr. Irwin withdrew and the firm assumed the present style of Westlake & Vogel. They have erected many of the most important buildings of the city, including the Ft. Brady work, Judge Steere's "stone box," the Fleming and Hogarth residences and many other dwellings and public buildings. The members of te firm are both men of good business ability, wide-awake and enterprising, and their earnest desire to please their patrons and the faithfulness with which they fulfill their part of a contract have gained them a liberal clientage.

On the 3rd of Decembe r1885, Mr. Westlake was married to Lillian A. Campbell in Sault de Ste. Marie. Her father was Peter Campbell of Ontario Canada. He married Flora Currie and eight children were born to them of whom the following are living; Sarah wife of W.W. Stillwell; Mrs. Westlake; Mary wife of George Comb who makes his home in this city; Jennie, wife of Le Barron Lockwood formerly of N.Y. and later of Marquette; and Marguerite. Mr. Campbell formerly followed farming, but is now living a retired life in Sault Ste Marie where he has made his home since 1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Westlake have been born a daughter, FLorence, March 3, 1890.

In his political views Mr. Westlake is a Democrat and is recognized as a leading m ember of his party. In 1894 he was nominated on that ticket for hte office of Comptroller and won the election by 230 votes. He takes some interest in civic societies and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Maccabees of which he is recorder. He is also C.C. of the Woodmen of America. He is a man of methodical principals.

Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895