WEST, Charles L. b: 1846

WEST, JOHNSON, VAN SANT, HALL, WOODWORTH

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/14/2008 at 22:54:57

Col. Charles L. West, one of Austin's leading citizens, is known far beyond the limits of the county where he has made his home, and his service on the military staff of the chief executives of the state has done him much credit.

Colonel West was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 30, 1846, and was brought west by his parents in 1855, and spent the winter of that year in Indiana, living for a time in Lyle township, this county, and then at Otranto, just across the line in Iowa.

His boyhood education was received in the schools of the latter village, after which he entered the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, Iowa, in 1863. After a three years' course in that school he entered the employ of a general store in the same place, and remained another three years.

In 1869 he came to Austin, and clerked three months for Johnson Bros. in their drug store. Then until 1871 he worked in the general store of Austin & Richardson. In the latter year he embarked in business for himself by opening at crockery store. In June, 1873, he and R. O. Hall opened a general store, which was gradually specialized until it became a first class dry goods emporium.

In July, 1901, Colonel West purchased the interest of Mr. Hall, and has since been the sole proprietor, the firm being known as the C. L. West Dry Goods Company. The store is modern in every particular, and carries a fine line of dry goods, cloaks and suits.

Colonel West is a Republican in politics. He served the city of Austin one term as mayor, two terms as alderman from the second ward, and two terms as city treasurer.

In Masonic circles he also ranks high. He has been grand commander of Minnesota, Knights Templars, and has also served as grand high priest and deputy grand master of the state grand lodge, A. F. & A. M.

In 1891 Charles L. West was appointed major on the staff of Governor William R. Merriam for two years. During this period he was appointed lieutenant colonel. He served in a similar capacity on the staffs of Governors Knute Nelson and David Al. Clough, but in 1897 retired from military life to serve as a member of the legislature, being re-elected in 1899.

In 1901, when Governor Samuel R. Van Sant came into office, he appointed Charles L. West colonel on his staff. Governor John A. Johnson retained him in a similar capacity, and as Governor Adolph O. Eberhart retained all the members of the old staff he is still serving.

In business life Colonel West has not confined himself to his dry goods line, but has interested himself in a number of other enterprises, including the Tri State Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers.

He was married December 18, 1872, at Dixon, Ill., to Charlotte C. Hall, daughter of R. O. Hall. She was the mother of four children: Katie, who died at fourteen years; Harry L. and Veta A., who are with their father, and Leon H., who has a clerical position in the bank at Missoula, Mont.

July 7, 1893, Colonel West married Minnie Van Blarcum, at Madison Lake, Minn. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.

David West and Harriett Woodworth, his wife, early pioneers and parents of Col. Charles L. West, were natives of New York state. They came west in 1855 and spent the winter of that year in Indiana, and later they came to Mower county and pre-empted 160 acres of wild land, built a log cabin and remained until 1862.

Then they moved across the line into Iowa, and there the father opened a hotel at Otranto, which he conducted until about 1869, when he disposed of the hotel business and became a merchant and postmaster in Otranto station.

He and his wife were sturdy old early settlers, and had their share of the hardships incident to pioneer days.

David West died in 1902, his wife having passed away in the fall of 1868.

From: HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY, (Minnesota) 1911.