Daniel C. Westgate, a prominent resident of Plainfield and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in this town, June 4, 1857, son of Earl and Sarah Chase (Cole) Westgate. His great-grandfather, John Westgate, who was the first ancestor of the family to settle in Plainfield, came here in 1778. John married Grace Church, of Tiverton, R.I., a descendant of Colonel Benjamin Church, who commanded the Colonial forces in the war against King Philip. They were the parents of eleven children; namely, Betsey, John, Lydia, Earl, Priscilla, Mary, George, William, Joseph, Benjamin, and Hannah. Earl Westgate, grandfather of Daniel C., accompanied his parents to this town, and spent the active period of his life upon the farm now occupied by his son, Earl Westgate (second). He married Elizabeth Waite, daughter of Nathaniel and Annie (Sweetser) Waite, of Hubbardston, Mass., and was by her the father of six children; namely, Elizabeth, John, Nathaniel W., Anna W., George, and Earl.
Earl Westgate, Daniel C. Westgate’s father, was born in Plainfield, December 17, 1808. He assisted in carrying on the farm until his father’s death, when he succeeded to the property. By judicious management he obtained a good income from the estate. Failing health compelled him to retire from active labor some years since, and the farm is now managed by his son. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and he has been a Deacon of that church for fifty years. His first wife, in maidenhood Sarah Chase Cole, who was born in Plainfield, November 24, 1815, daughter of Daniel and Martha (Johnson) Cole, died January 18, 1876. The maiden name of his second wife was Abigail M. Camp, and she died four years after her marriage. Earl Westgate had six children, all the offspring of his first union. They were: William E., born December 9, 1840; Martha E., born January 9, 1842; Edith S., born June 29, 1846; Julia A., born August 8, 1848, who died November 19, 1865; Mary E., born November 1, 1854, who died February 29, 1864; and Daniel C., the subject of this sketch. William E., who attended school at Kimball Union Academy, has held some of the important town offices, and is now County Commissioner. He married Charlotte E. Bryant, of Cornish, N.H., and has two children-Earl and Martha E. The latter is now the wife of Edwin M. Quimby. Her aunt, Martha E. Westgate, who attended the academy and was formerly a successful school teacher, is now the widow of Freeman Holt, late of Lyme, N.H., and presides over her father’s household. Edith S. Westgate, who is the wife of Carlos D. Colby, a wealthy farmer of Plainfield, has had eight children, seven of whom are living. Daniel C. Westgate was educated in the schools of Plainfield and at New London, N.H. Since then he has given his attention to general farming at the homestead, and has had the entire charge of the farm since his father’s retirement. He is one of the Republican party leaders in this locality, and has served the town ably and faithfully as Town Clerk and Treasurer. Also he was Selectman for six years, having been Chairman of the Board for two years of that time; and he represented the town in the State legislature, where
On June 13, 1878, Mr. Westgate was united in marriage with Clara J. Stone, who was born in Plainfield, March 27, 1855, daughter of Solomon Stone. She is now the mother of two daughters: Mary E., born November 27, 1879; and Bessie S., born October 15, 1883. Mary E. attended Kimball Union Academy, and is now a prominent school teacher in this town. Bessie S. is still attending school.