- JAMES R. WEST, of Evansville, is a representative of one
of the pioneer families of Rock
- County, and is a son of Jacob WEST, who was born in Champaign
County, Ohio, in 1812. His grandparents, William and Hannah WEST,
were natives of Virginia, but removed to Champaign County in
an early day, and there resided until death called them from
this life. They were the parents of five sons and several daughters,
of whom Jacob was the youngest. He was reared in Champaign County,
Ohio, and there married Miss Margaret ROBINSON, who was born
in the Buckeye State.
- In the spring of 1835, accompanied by his wife, Jacob WEST
removed to Bloomington, Ill., and in
- the fall of the same year settled in the town of Rock Grove,
Stephenson County, where he entered a quarter-section land, there
making his home with his family until the spring of 1840. At
that date Mr. WEST came to Rock County, locating in the town
of Union, entering the northeast quarter of section 26, the claim
lying just east of the present city of Evansville. After residing
on that farm for about three years the land was exchanged for
the southwest quarter of the same section, where he made his
home until about 1853, when selling his farm he bought property
in Evansville and continued to make his home in that town until
his death, which occurred July 11, 1882, at the age of seventy
years. His wife was born Aug. 6, 1814, and they lived together
as man and wife for upwards of half a century, their marriage
having occurred on the 1st day of December, 1831. Mrs. WEST survives
her husband, and is now making her home with her son James R.,
the subject of this sketch.
- The family circle of Jacob WEST and wife was completed by
the birth of eight children, seven of
- whom grew to mature years, while five are living at the time
of this writing, 1889. James R. was the second in order of birth,
and is the eldest of the surviving ones; Leora is now the wife
of Harrison THOMPSON, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.; Clarissa
is the wife of James W. OSBORN, of Evansville, and Celina J.
married Albert GODDARD, and resides in South Dakota. The deceased
members of the family are the first born, a son who died in infancy;
Stephen, who was a member of Company D, 13th Wisconsin Infantry,
and died during the service at Leavenworth, Kas., in April, 1862,
after which his remains were brought back and interred in the
cemetery at Evansville; John W., who enlisted in the ranks of
Company H, 42d Wisconsin Regiment, was a successful teacher for
many years and served six years as County Superintendent of the
schools of Rock County. He died about three months before the
death of the father, leaving a wife and four children, two sons
and two daughters, who are residents of Evansville.
- Jacob WEST was one of the most prominent pioneers of his
day, and probably none exerted as
- much influence upon the education, moral and religious interests
of the community as did he. The Methodist Episcopal Church of
Evansville was organized in the fall of 1840 and Mr. WEST assisted
greatly in organizing that body, and the first quarterly meeting
was held in his log house. He was for many years a Class-Leader
in that church, and was Superintendent of its Sabbath-school.
Many are now living who received their first religious instruction
in the Sabbath-school presided over by Mr. WEST, and many will
remember his voice in songs of praise, as he acted as chorister
and led singing, assisted by his good wife, in the Methodist
Episcopal Church for many years. He was also prominent in civil
affairs.
- After the post-office was established at this place he had
the first contract for carrying the mail
- form Union to Evansville. He was Justice of the Peace for
nineteen consecutive years, and served several years as Town
Assessor, and was Town Clerk for about ten years. In 1861 he
was appointed by Abraham Lincoln, United States Assistant Assessor
for the Second District, and held the office until 1864, and
was reappointed in 1865 and held the office until 1866. He was
Postmaster of Evansville from 1855 until 1858. In politics he
was a Republican and a strong temperance man.
- James R. WEST, whose name heads this sketch, was born at
Rock Grove, Stephenson Co., Ill,
- on the 28th day of June, 1837, and was consequently but three
years of age when his parents came to Rock County. In 1854, at
the age of seventeen years, accompanied by S. E. ROBINSON, a
youth of about his own age, he started on foot for Appleton,
Wis., for the purpose of entering Lawrence University, and remained
a student of that institution for about two years. He then entered
upon an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner under
Henry BOYCE, and was to receive $8 per month for his services
during his apprenticeship, but at the end of the first year,
his employer, unsolicited, paid him $10 per month for the time
he had already served. He continued with Mr. BOYCE about three
years, and in the winter of 1859-60 went to Albany, Green County,
where he engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds,
and continued in that line until November, 1863, when he disposed
of h!
is interest in the business.
- On the 25th day of December following his removal from Albany,
Mr. WEST enlisted in Company
- F, of the 16th Wisconsin Infantry, assisting in recruiting
the same. On its organization he was made Orderly Sergeant, and
entered the field in that capacity. He served with his regiment
in the gallant 17th Army Corps, and during the siege of Atlanta
on the 21st of July, 1864, received a gunshot wound through both
his thighs. At the time he was at a point on the field near where
the gallant McPherson fell, and only a few hours after that sad
event. His wound disqualified him for further service in the
field, and he was brought home in November following. In March,
1865, he reported at the hospital in Milwaukee, where he remained
until his discharge in July following. He had been commissioned
First Lieutenant of his company in March, 1865.
- Soon after being mustered out of service, Mr. WEST was appointed
Postmaster of Evansville, and
- continued in that position until February, 1886, a period
of more than twenty consecutive years. He was married, on the
19th of February, 1861, to Miss Flora COMFORT, only daughter
of the Rev. O. F. COMFORT, a well-known clergyman of Rock County
during the early days. Mrs. WEST is a native of the Empire State,
and by their union four children were born, two of whom are living,
Mae M., a successful teacher of Evansville, and Eva. Those deceased
are Minnie and Elbert J. Mr. WEST was a gallant soldier in the
war for the Union, and is a worthy and esteemed citizen. He is
a prominent member of T. L. Sutphen Post No. 41, G.A.R. of Evansville,
and for five and a half years was Commander in that body.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 539-540.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|