- JAMES R. WEST, merchant and Postmaster, Evansville; born
in Stephenson Co., Ill., June 28,
- 1837; his father, Jacob WEST, who was a native of Champaign
Co., Ohio, born March 6, 1812, settled in Illinois in 1836, and,
in 1840, he removed with his family to Rock Co., Wis., locating
one-half mile from the center of the present village of Evansville,
having the previous year secured a claim, on which he settled;
in the fall of 1841, he sold his claim and with his wife and
two children went to Ohio, making the trip in a one-horse wagon;
the following year, he returned by the same route; having purchased
another horse, he made the return trip with a double team, arrived
in Union Township, Rock Co., in June of 1842, where he located
and engaged in improving land for farming purposes; farmed until
1853; in 1846, began brick-making; made the first brick in Union
Township; after a short trip to southern Iowa, in 1853, he engaged
in mercantile business in the town of Union, which he continued
until 1856. From 1850 to 1869, was Justice of the Peace; then
retired from active duties; in 1876, he again resumed the duties
of the office; from 1856 or 1857 to 1867 or 1868, he was Town
Clerk; has been assessor from 1868 to the present time; in 1861,
was appointed U.S. Assistant Assessor for the Second District,
which he held until 1864; re-appointed in 1865; held office until
1866. He married, in Champaign Co., Ohio, Dec. 1, 1831, Miss
Margaret ROBINSON, a native of Ohio; has had eight children;
four sons were in the army; Stephen, a member of Co. D, 13th
W. V. I., died in the army April 21, 1862; he has six children
living and thirteen grandchildren. Mr. WEST was Postmaster of
Evansville from 1855 to 1858. James R. WEST, in 1856, commenced
his apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner; after
a service of three years, engaged with Mr. A. JOHNSON as partner
in making sash, doors and blinds at Albany, Green Co., Wis.;
in November, 1863, he sold out, and removed his family to Evansville,
Rock Co., and Dec. 25, enlisted in Co. G, 16th W. V. I., and
went into active service with the regiment until the battle of
Bald Hill, near Atlanta; he was severely wounded, a minie ball
passing through both his thighs (this was the battle in which
Gen. McPHERSON was killed); he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant
in April, 1865, and was discharged on account of wounds, July
4, 1865, when he returned to Evansville, and received the appointment
of Postmaster of Evansville, by P. M. General Wm. DENNISON, which
position he still holds; he is also engaged in the book and stationery
business. He married, at Gray's Valley, Tioga Co., Penn., Feb.
19, 1862, Miss Flora COMFORT, a native of Olean, Cattaraugus
Co., N.Y.; born July 29, 1839; have had four children - Minnie
E., born Jan. 17, 1863, died April 17, 1864; Mary M., born Feb.
14, 1864; Elbert J., born June 19, 1872, died Feb. 23, 1873;
Evelyn F., born Aug. 5, 1874.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 868.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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