Sussex County, New Jersey Obituaries

Sussex County, New Jersey Obituaries

LEWIS WESTFALL, M. D.
LEWIS WESTFALL, son of Matthew Westfall, Esq., of Wantage, Sussex County, N. J., was born in that township, October 29th, 1839. He pursued his earlier medical studies at Cambridge, N. Y., under the direction of Dr. Henry Gray, and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the city of New York, in March, 1863. In the same month, he was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Navy, and was ordered to duty at the West, on the U. S. gunboat Queen City. In what estimation he was held at that stage of his professional life, will be seen from the testimony of gentlemen closely connected with him at that period. A note from C. S. Sims, U. S. Consul at Prescott, Ontario, says: "Dr. Westfall and I were together as room-mates, from April, 1863, until the close of the rebellion, and we were very intimate friends. He was a faithful officer and a man whom all his shipmates admired and respected. I was with him at the battle of Clarendon, when he was wounded, and I suppose that it was the injury he received then that eventually carried him to his grave."
After having been at home some months, on sick-leave, he returned to duty on the U. S. steamer Siren, from which he was transferred to U. S. Hospital Pinkney, at Memphis, Tenn. Fleet-Surgeon Pinkney, in a communication to Dr. Westfall, uses this language: "I feel it to be my duty to acknowledge the fidelity with which the duties assigned you have been performed. Your conduct, during a period of two years and four months, entitles you to my respect and confidence."
Surgeon Grier, in charge of Hospital Pinkney, speaks thus: "Permit me to say, that during your connexion with me at this Hospital, (four months,) you have performed your duties faithfully, and your conduct merits my highest approbation."
Having been honorably discharged from the public service, on Nov. 6th, 1865, Dr. Westfall returned to his home, resting and recruiting his impaired health, till 1867, when the late Dr. Alexander Linn, invited him to take charge of his wide practice. He entered on and prosecuted this work with characteristic zeal, devoting to it all his time and strength, winning largely the confidence of the community, and giving promise of attaining eminence in his profession. But, one cloud shaded the prospect. It soon appeared evident that his strength was unequal to his task. In February, 1869, he was compelled to relinquish practice, and on the 29th of May, in the same year, he died, greatly regretted by all, leaving a young wife, to whom he had been united but a few months.
Not only as a physician of attainments and promise, but as a man and a citizen, a friend and neighbor, Dr. Westfall deserved and won esteem. He was morally correct and firm in principle, and exemplary in his conduct. Receiving the religion of the Scriptures as true and divine, he practically respected its claims and institutions. Its hopes cheered his wearisome nights and days, and by its light he descended into the vale of death.
[Source: Transactions of the Medical Society of New Jersey By Medical Society of New Jersey; 1868. Newark, N.J.; Printed at the Evening Courier Office, 309 Broad St. 1868, pg. 85-86, submitted by Michelle Byrd]