THE WESTBY FAMILY, ONE OF MANY WHO BRAVED THE ODDS AND WON THE BATTLE.
The Vestbys left the sanctity of their stately homes & lifestyle in Trysil, Norway, and with many of their family & loved ones, set sail in unchartered waters, and traversed a strange and desolate land, all for an opportunity to have free or cheap land. They did it themselves, these proud and noble stalwarts.
Spotted Road of today (2010) is located about half way between Clayton, WA, in Stevens County and Deer Park in Spokane County. Some consider Spotted Rd. as the dividing line between the two.
But prior to that success, life was a very difficult. The settlers found their way in but not a way to get out. With the assistance of Indian scouts they banded together and blazed a trail through an impenetrable forest as pictured. They notched trees with axes to enable them to follow the spots on the trees. Thus the name Spotted road and a life line to either Deer Park or Clayton for supplies, a trail to schools and all walks of life.
The salt of the earth, Violet Nolan Zimmerer, Granddaughter of Ole T. & Helena Westby with her Daughter Lorraine 'Rainy' Zimmerer Nord.
Back row. All Westbys. Make no mistake. L - R. OTTO, AUGUST, KAP, HARALD & ALBERT. Front row. EINER, OLAF, HALVOR, OSCAR, PETE & TORVALD.
Einer Westby father of Minnie.
Madeline Lowe, Mother of Minnie. This is her Clayton High School senior picture.
Shown here are Minnie Westby and her parents, "Madeline (Lowe) Westby" and Einar Westby. Minnie is the granddaughter of Erling K. Westby.
Top left to bottom left- Minnie Westby, Marlene King, John Bailey, Eddie Kingrey. Lois Westby is in the middle of the group. Bill Gibson is the top boy, Bill Jarrett is below him
Maxine, probably at Erling Westby’s house, is a granddaughter of Erling K. Westby. She passed away November 2009, in Danville, CA, at the age of 92. Her father was Albert Westby, the eldest of Erling & Kjersti's five children, listed below in order: Albert, Olga (her daughter Vera married Jack Spalding), Einar (Minnie's father), Erling Kasper "Kap," Oscar. Just to help keep the Westbys straight, there were 3 separate families on Spotted Road. Erling K's family is listed above. The next Westbys are: Ola A. and Oline Westby. (He and Erling K. were brothers) Ola's children, listed in order: Anna (born in Norway), Halvor (born in Norway), Kornelia "Nellie" (born in Norway), Elida (born in Norway), Olaf, Otto (father of LaVerne, Lawrence, and Richard Westby), August, Julia (Karen Meyer's aunt, by marriage). Ole T. and Helene Westby. Ole was a cousin to Erling & Ola's father. Ole's children, listed in order: Torvald "Bill"(born in Norway), Olaf "Dud," Inga, Hilda, Olga "Helen,"Ida (Rainy Nord's grandmother, Violet Zimmerer's and Dorothy Lindh's mother),Otene (Bob, Richard, and Dale Dyck's grandmother), Harald (Ken's father), and Peter.
Miss Minnie Westby. Deer Park, WA. Graduate "CLASS OF 1949." The 49ers!
THE CREAM OF THE CROP! L--R. GLEN HAYWORTH, MINNIE WESTBY HAYWORTH, PHYLLIS SLOAN DALE & DICK DALE. Minnie & Phyllis have been close friends since the 8th grade at Clayton.
Miss Phyllis and Miss Minnie. This page is now complete. Almost
At least 3 of these ladies are Westbys. The Central Hotel in Clayton was owned by Olga's Mother. A few of Olga's cousins were employed as well.
Beryle Florine Westby (1916-1993), daughter of Albert Westby, eldest son of Erling K. Westby.
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Following the clearing of land, the building of homesteads, and roadways; life became a bit more tolerable.
Many pictures are just that, pictures. Some are so meaningful they become a lifeline. This is one of success, one that says, “I told you we could do it.” A log home with a wealth of farm buildings, an automobile of the finest make and a growing happy family. How did they do it? The reason sits right across Spotted Road.
This is a photo of gigantic proportions. A professional photographer recorded this entire community. In addition, most are identified. The names are listed below.
Here are the names of almost all of those pictured above. The lion’s share of these Pilgrims are buried less than 1/2mile to the west at Zion Hill Cemetery.
The faculty and Student body of the Forreston School located on the corner of Spotted & Montgomery RDs. L-R. J. H. Heal. (Teacher, Taught in 1888 - 1889) A.M. Fish, Edgar Anderson, Charles Anderson, Sam Fish, Lawrence Anderson. Sena Anderson, Nelly Westby, Ella Lemke, Eda Lemke, Halvor Westby, Hokon Olson, Jim Olson, John Olson & George Fish. Front Row - Olaf Westby, Inga Westby, Minnie Lemke, Albert Westby & Louise Olson.
The Forreston School in 1914, with the same name but in a different building about a mile north near the corner of Spotted Road and Bridges Road. Front, Jimmy Westby, Carl Conner, Julia Westby, Miss Nather, Annie Olive Billings, John Conner. Back row. - Frank Conner, Harald Westby, Peter Westby.
The children of Ole T. and Helene Westby. Youngest to oldest, L - R: Peter Westby, Harald Westby, Otene Westby Clark, Ida Westby Nolan, Helen Westby Forgey, Hilda Westby Forgey, Inga Westby Holstad, Olaf "Dud" Westby & Torvald "BiIl"Westby. This photo was taken at a family reunion in 1958.
Helene & Ole T. Westby. photo taken in 1905-06.
Kenneth Westby, D.P. High School Graduate 1959.
Kenneth Westby and his wife Ce Ce.. Ken is the current Genealogist for the Westby family, having replaced his Father Harald. The photo below gives an idea of the history of the Norwegian blood line with buildings there dating back a couple centuries and still standing strong.
Many Sons and Daughters of Norway ventured back to their home land of Trysil, Norway in 2009 for reunion. They say it was a gala occasion.
This is the 50th Wedding Aniversary photo of Harald & Thelma Westby. June 11th, 1989
This is the Trysil, Norway compound of the Vestby, Sondre. Torgals, Og Ostre families. It is yet determined which came first, the Log homes we believe were in the possession of the individual families and as the family grew older the offspring moved into the compound.
One of the log structures on the Westby enclave in the outskirts of Trysil, Norway.
Thelma and Harald Westby, Settlers honored couple 1986.
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