ORAN WESTELL (1891-1955): Lighthouse Keeper

On Sunday I asked, “Which descendant of John Culbert & Mary Ward was a lighthouse keeper and raised his family in a lighthouse?” 

The answer? Oran Westell, grandson of John Culbert & Mary Ward.

Oran Westell, 1910, age 19. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

Born 17 May 1891 in Clandeboye, Ontario, Oran left home at a young age to work on Great Lake schooners, including the “Lyman M. Davies” and the “Burt Barnes.” 

Oran was witness to the fierce “Great Lakes Storm of 1913” also known as “The Big Blow” and “The White Hurricane.” 

The blizzard raged for 16 hours with hurricane-force winds that raised waves higher than 10 metres (33 feet.)

The storm exacted a toll far greater than that of the gale that sank the famous SS Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. This storm devastated land as well... 

Many ships were lost and more than 200 men perished at sea. Oran was aboard one of the only surviving ships. 

With the outbreak of World War One in 1914, Oran enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and went overseas. 

Oran Westell in WWI uniform. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

Amazingly, Oran survived a chlorine gas attack. 

Life-size cutout of Oran Westell at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre in Southampton, Ontario. Oran's son, John "Jack" Westell on left and Oran's grandson, Don Jarrell on right. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

While recuperating in England from the chlorine gas attack, Oran met his wife-to-be, Jane “Jenny” Russell, while rowing in Heaton Park, Manchester. They married in Prestwich, Lancashire on 29 March 1919.

Engagement photo of Oran Westell and Jane "Jenny" Russell. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

When Oran and his bride arrived back in Canada, they moved in with Oran's father, Omar in Kincardine, Ontario. Oran's mother, Susan (Dagg) Westell passed away in 1916, before his return from overseas.

Oran's parents and siblings. Oran in back row, in uniform, late 1914 or early 1915. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

In 1929, Oran became the fourth serving lighthouse keeper at the Kincardine Lighthouse. 

Kincardine Lighthouse, 1940s. Photo courtesy of Jamie Westell.

Oran, his wife Jen, and their three children moved into the lighthouse where they remained until 1955. 

Oran’s duties included taking care of harbour traffic as the Wharfinger, Storm Signaller, and Harbour Master.

From the master bedroom on the second floor of the lighthouse, Oran could sit up in bed and determine which way the wind was blowing.

The lighthouse position paid little but provided a home for his family. Oran supplemented his income by sorting the outgoing mail at the Kincardine Post Office. Oran was a volunteer Fire Fighter in the town, and he became the Kincardine Fire Chief.

Left to right: Oran Westell in his firefighter uniform; Oran's father, Omar Westell; and Oran's brother, Earl Westell. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

Oran Westell was fatally injured on a foggy night in 1955, near Ottawa. The car driven by his son, John, missed a turn and crashed into a ditch. Oran died on the way to the hospital, age 64. He is buried in Kincardine Cemetery. 

Oran’s hobbies included fishing and messing about in his converted lifeboat. For a man who had served his country and community well, survived a hurricane at sea, and survived a chlorine gas attack, he deserved a little leisure time as he entered his retirement years. Sadly, it was not to be. 

Oran & Jen Westell with three of their grandchildren, c1950. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

Oran Westell’s family tree: 

Ancestors of Oran Westell: 

John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-grandparents) 
Elizabeth Culbert & Richard Dagg (grandparents) 
Susan Dagg & Omar Westell (parents)

Descendants of Oran Westell & Jane “Jenny” Russell: 
Children:

John “Jack” Russell Westell (1920-2013)
Private (living) (daughter)
Susan “Toots” Westell (1923-2013)