Portrait of Joseph B. Westnedge in uniform
Black-and-white copy-photograph head shot of Joseph B. Westnedge (1872-1918), wearing an infantry uniform and hat, and smoking a cigarette. The uniform may be from the Michigan State Troops. Pin above lapel features crossed muskets over wreath insignia. Handwritten text on the photograph reads, "Our own 'Col Joe' Guess what he's s[aying?] Turk". Joseph Westnedge had an extensive military career: He joined the Michigan National Guard in 1894, was captain during the Spanish-American War in 1898, lieutenant-colonel during Jackson Prison riot of 1911, and colonel after his service on the Mexican border in 1916. Later, he was the manager of Kalamazoo paper company at the start of the first World War, and was one of few National Guard officers to retain his command in the National Army during the war. He commanded the 126th Infantry. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was named in his honor.