California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


N. J. WESTMAN. An important place in the community is invariably won by representatives 
of certain European countries, not the least of which is Sweden. From this country of sturdy 
citizens has come many residents of California, of whom N. J. Westman, of Orosi, Tulare county, 
is named as representative of the best class. He was born in Sweden, September 6, 1870, the 
youngest in a family of three children, two of whom are located in America. His father, N. O. 
Westman, was born, reared and educated in Sweden, in manhood becoming a farmer and own- 
ing today a comfortable home, known as the Knoll Farm. He still survives his wife, formerly Anna 
Margareta Larson, also a native of that country, who died in 1874. 

The boyhood of N. J. Westman was passed upon the paternal farm, and while attending the 
public schools he also received the practical training which has contributed no little to his suc- 
cessful career. Upon attaining the age of sixteen years he left school and gave his entire at- 
tention to work on his father's farm, remaining so occupied for two years. In 1889 he came 
to the United States, and immediately after landing in New York City he crossed the continent 
to Nebraska, where, in Wahoo, Saunders county, be found employment on a farm at $12 per 
month. To make this trip he had gone in debt $152.85, and to the payment of this sum he de- 
voted his wages. For three years he remained in that location, coming to California in 1892. In 
Tehama county, near Red Bluff, he found employment on a farm, in the fall of the same year 
finding work on an extensive ranch, helping on a thresher. In the same year he located in Oak- 
land and there followed a prosecution of the carpenter's trade, remaining so occupied until 
June, 1893, after which he worked for I. W. Phillips, of that city. In 1897 he went to Mal- 
aga and bought a tract of twenty acres, which he planted to vineyard and alfalfa, erecting build- 
ings and making that his home for two years. On account of so much alkali in the ground he 
was not satisfied with his location, and accordingly sold out in 1899, when he came to Orosi, 
Tulare county, here purchasing another twenty acres. This was only slightly improved at the 
time of his purchase, since which time he has given his best efforts to make of it a comfortable 
home and a credit to the ranches of the section. For a time he conducted a vineyard of 
forty acres near Tulare, meeting with the same success which has characterized his entire ca- 
reer. Returning to his own farm he has since given his entire time and attention to its im- 
provement and cultivation. He has put up comfortable and substantial buildings, has a five- 
acre orchard and an eight-acre vineyard, the rest of the property being devoted to alfalfa. He 
has all modern improvements, having a railroad from his drying grounds to the sulphur houses. 
In partnership with his brother he also owns twenty acres in Orosi, all devoted to vineyard, 
and also owns ten lots in the same town. Mr. Westman has proved himself one of the most 
substantial men of the town, giving material assistance in its upbuilding by a prosecution, to 
some extent, of his trade. 

In Oakland Mr. Westman was united in marriage with Anne Hegstrom, a native of Westman- 
land, Sweden, and they have one daughter, Edith Violet. Fraternally Mr. Westman is associated 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers. Politically he is a stanch Republican. 
A member of the Baptist Church, he has been active in its support, having served as trustee 
for some time.