WEST, David 1823-1898

WEST, WOODWORTH

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/17/2015 at 17:04:53

WEST.

At his home at Otranto Station, Iowa, Wednesday evening April 6, 1898, of Bright's disease, David West, aged 75 years.

He was born in Stockton, Chatauqua county, New York, four miles northeast of Lake Chatauqua, March 9, 1823. He grew up there, receiving a common school education. He was married about the year 1844 to Miss Harriet Woodworth, a native of the same county. There the three children, Charles L., Jeannette, and James E. were born.

They came to Minnesota in 1856 making the trip from La Salle, Illinois, by prairie schooners, and settled on section 32 in Lyle township. Ben Coe, Ed Sprague and John Woodworth came with them. They found only a few families in the immediate neighborhood, Lewis West, Orlando and Jack Wilder and one or two others. They were in the midst of an almost unbroken wilderness.

David West settled on the farm on Woodbury Creek now owned by A. Howard. He moved in 1861 to old Otranto, which enterprising citizens were trying to make into a large town in anticipation of its becoming a prominent railroad point. The railroad, when it came years later, left it at one side and the hopes of its projectors were blighted. Before the railroad came, wheat was hauled to Winona and McGregor for market.

Mrs. West died at Otranto Sept. 2, 1868. Subsequently Mr. West married Mrs. Sylvina J. Wilson who survives him. In 1878, Mr. West moved to Otranto Station where he resided until his death. He was justice of the peace and postmaster for twenty years.

He has been in failing health for the past four years, having two paralytic strokes. He died Wednesday evening. Funeral services were held at Otranto, Friday, under the auspices of Alma Lodge number 131 A. F. and A. M. of Lyle of which deceased was a member. Rev. Mr. Everson of Osage officiated, assisted by Rev. A. J. Torsleff of Austin. Interment in Woodbury cemetery.

Of the children only one, Charles L. West of this city survives. James E. West died at the age of four, and Jeannette, the wife of James E. Galt, died October 1, 1889. Deceased was a brother of William West of Lyle and an uncle of Mrs. C. D. Belden of this city.

Source: The Mower County Transcript, 13 April 1898, page 2, column 2 under heading "Died."

Credit: Mitch Helle, Sept. 2015