Westel Willoughby
| Westel Willoughby | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia | |
|
In office June 12, 1869 – January 1, 1870 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 3, 1830 Groton, Tompkins County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 1897 (aged 67) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jennie Rebecca Woodbury |
| Alma mater | Hamilton College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Years of service | 1862-1863 |
| Unit | 137th New York Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Chancellorsville (1863) |
Westel Willoughby (April 3, 1830 – December 21, 1897) was an American lawyer and soldier, who briefly served on the Virginia Supreme Court during Congressional Reconstruction, and unsuccessfully ran for statewide office several times.
Westel Willoughby was born on April 3, 1830 in Groton, Tompkins County, New York to Franklin Bakus Willoughby and his wife Keziah Slosson Delano. He attended schools in Groton and Homer, in Cortland County, then attended Hamilton College. He taught and worked as a carpenter to support himself during those studies and graduated in 1854. Then he studied law while teaching at academies in Aurora and Moravia, both in nearby Cayuga County.
On May 10, 1859, Willoughy married schoolteacher Jennie Rebecca Woodbury in Groton. They would have twin sons Westel Woodbury Willoughby (1867-1945) and William F. Willoughby (1867-1960) and a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby would be active in the Presbyterian Church, and Willoughby in the Young Men's Christian Association, and their sons both became prominent academics and public administrators.
Willoughby was admitted to the New York bar at Oswego. He then began his private legal practice back home in Groton.
During the American Civil War, Willoughby helped recruit soldiers for the 137th New York Volunteer Regiment, and received an officer's commission on November 1, 1862. At the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, he was severely wounded in an artillery barrage. Willoughby recovered enough for release from the hospital, but resigned his commission due to his injuries in September.
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