Bio: Westbay, Philenus (Life Summary – 1964)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Westbay, Fauser, Vitoux

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 11 Jun 1964

(Written by Janet Fauser)
 

Philenus is one of Greenwood's many residents engaged in farming. He has been a farmer since he was 13, when he worked on a farm for $12 a month. He says he likes farming because he likes living with nature.

The Westbay's bought their farm just north of Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.) while they were on a sight-seeing trip. After admiring the beautiful green surroundings, they decided that Greenwood was the place for them, and at Christmas in 1959, they came to Greenwood from their home in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Philenus was born in Lake County, Indiana, but moved to Porter County, Indiana with his parents when he was 4-years-old. At 18 he went to Saskatchewan, Canada to work for a telephone company. While holding this job he helped put up some of the first telephone lines on the Western plains. He then went to the Army and spent 16 (?) months in France. Upon his return to the states, he married Anna Vitoux and they purchased a farm north of Hebron, Indiana They now have 6 children and 28 grandchildren.

In 1955 the Westbays sold their farm and moved to Valparaiso, Indiana.

Philenus was also employed as a painter for the E.J. and E. Bridge and Building Department for 13 years while he farmed.

He says that the best time of his life was when he was raising his family and the children were small.

When asked what he hoped to accomplish, he replied, "peace and goodwill toward people."