Westfall, Simon V E

Westfall, Simon V. E.

a minister of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, was born at Rhinebecl, Dutchess Co., N.Y., in 1802. He graduated at Rutgers College in 1831, and at the New Brunswick Seminary in 1834. He was licensed by the Classis of Rensselaer in 1834. He was pastor of the Hyde Park Church, Dutchess Co., N.Y., from 1834 to 1837, and Union and Salem from 1837 to 1847. At this time he went as missionary to Illinois, and in that capacity he labored for about two years, from 1847 to 1848. In 1849 he undertook the trying task of building u p an "eminent Dutch Church" in the young city of Pelin, Tazewell Co., Ill., where, with the exception of one year (1853), in which he labored at Vanderveer, Morgan Co., he ministered until 1856. His task was long and arduous, but fruitless. He left Pekin in 1856, and returned to his native East to spend his declining days. He had scarcely got settled in his new house and engaged to supply the Second Church of Rotterdam, when he was taken sick, and died, in 1856. During the short time he was sick, he repeatedly uttered the word "Ecstasy!" while visions of glory passed before his mind. He was a man of settled purpose, inflexible integrity, and of a modest and diffident spirit. See Corwin; Manual of the Ref. Church in America, s.v.