In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1870, Lynn township
From History of Henry County, Illinois (1910)
JOSEPH EMANUEL WESTERLUND. M. D.
Joseph Emanuel Westerlund, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine, his work showing familiarity with the most advanced scientific methods, was born in Lynn township, Henry county, Illinois, July 30, 1870. As the name indicates he comes of Swedish ancestry. His grandfather, Eric Westerlund, was a farmer of Sweden and after emigrating to America became a resident of Lynn township, this county, where he died when about seventy years of age. His first wife died when they were on the voyage to the new world. Their son, Jonas Westerlund, the father of the Doctor, was born and reared in Sweden and when twenty-one years of age sought a home on this side of the Atlantic. For a time he was employed in the pineries of Minnesota but became one of the early settlers of Henry county, establishing his home in Lynn township, where he purchased four hundred and forty-five acres of land that he cultivated and improved. He reared his family upon this farm and with the passing years developed a fine property, its value steadily increasing with the improvements he made upon it and with the general rise of realty in this part of the state. He is now living retired, making his home in Orion. He married Elna Nelson, also a native of Sweden, in which country her parents died at an old age. Their daughter Elna was one of three children and in 1853 she came to the United States. Here she gave her hand in marriage to Jonas Westerlund and they traveled life's journey happily together until the 15th of February, 1906, when Mrs. Westerlund passed away at the age of seventy years. Their family numbered nine children, six sons and three daughters, but only four are now living: Henning N., John Edward, Luther Gilbert and Joseph E.
Dr. Westerlund was reared on his father's farm and the district schools afforded him his early educational privileges which were supplemented by a course of study in Augustina College at Rock Island. There he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and entered upon life's practical duties, well equipped for the fray. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for several terms and for one year he worked at the printer's trade on the Orion Times. In 1897 he took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the Chicago College of Physicains & Surgeons with the class of 1900 He located for practice in Cambridge in May of the same year and in the period which has since elapsed has established himself in public regard as one of the leading members of the medical profession in this part of the county. He has been very successful in treating diseases, is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and his judgment is seldom, if ever, at error in determining the outcome of disease.
One the loth of September, 1902, Mr. Westerlund was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Wahlberg, a native of Moline, Illinois, and a daughter of Carl and Mary Wahlberg. Her father was born in Sweden and her mother in Rock Island county, Illinois. They have four children, including Mrs. Westerlund who by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter and son, Alma Elizabeth and Joseph Allen. Dr. and Mrs. Westerlund hold membership in the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is recognized as one of its local leaders and was secretary of the county central committee for one term while at the present writing he is chairman of the township central committee. He filled the office of president of the board of health for several terms and is serving his third term as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the Cambridge lodge of Odd Fellows and in more specifically professional lines is connected with the county and state medical societies and the American Medical Association. He thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purposes of the profession and his constant reading and research have continually promoted his efficiency in the discharge of his daily duties.
As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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