William West is a native of Northampton, England, born Nov. 13, 1831., He was a son of William and Charlotte (Smith) West, who had a family of nine children, of whom William was the fifth child. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he came alone to the United States, and came direct to Clayton County, Iowa, where he had a brother living. He engaged in farming and other occupations until May, 1855, when he went to Minnesota; remained there two years, then returned to Iowa. In the spring of 1857 he went to Kansas, and worked at the blacksmith's trade there five months, then came back to Clayton County. In 1860 he spent ten months in Kansas, New Mexico and Pike's Peak, Col. When he returned to this county, he was married to Betsey Underwood, on Oct. 28, 1862. She is a native of England, and was a daughter of Absalom and Mary Underwood, nee Wells. Their matrimonial life has been blessed with ten children--William E., John G., Thomas U., Mary A., Nellie M., Lotta E., Richard, Francis A., Anna M. and Richard, who died in infancy. Mr. West owns 160 acres of land, 120 under fine cultivation and abundantly stocked. In politics he is a Greenbacker. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 848-849 |