Iowa Old Press

Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque, Dubuque co.  Iowa
March 22, 1892

DEATH OF COL.WEST
An Honored Citizen and Brave Solider Passes Away --- He Was One of the
Pioneers of this City  and gave West’s Hill its Name.

Col. G.R. West, from whom West’s Hill takes its name, was found dead in his
bed Sunday morning at the Central hotel, on Locust Street below First.
Saturday evening while seated in the parlor he was taken with a fainting
spell, from which he emerged very weak.  He was assisted to bed, but his
indisposition being considered only temporary no great alarm was occasioned.
Sunday morning, however, he failed to appear for breakfast, and a visit to
his room revealed that alone; and unattended he had answered the summons to
another world.  A physician stated that death had resulted from apoplexy. (a
stroke).  The remains were conveyed to Hoffman’s undertaking establishment.

George S. West had resided in Dubuque about forty five years. Along in the
50’s he built a store on the levee now occupied by B.B. Linehan and
conducted therein a large commission business.  At various times he was
engaged in other enterprises. He was a native of Cayuga county, N.Y. and was
born April 21, 1809.  He grew up to manhood there, and removed to Huron
County, Ohio, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for some
years; in September, 1844 he removed to Galena and bought an interest in a
mining claim with a Scotchman named Gilbert. Mr. West came over to Dubuque
one Saturday and during the night his partner was murdered in his cabin;
upon the return to Mr. West on Monday he was advised for his own safety to
give up his claim and not return to it; he came over to Dubuque and bought
an interest in diggings here and engaged in mining. He also engaged in the
forwarding and commission business, as before mentioned, and built up a
large trade and was also steamboat agent.  When the war broke out, Mr. West
was actively engaged in securing recruits for the army, and was appointed
recruiting agent. He afterward enlisted in the 37th I.V.I. and was elected
and commissioned captain and was in the service about three years.  After
the war he returned to Dubuque and since then had not engaged in active
business, except buying grain at times when the market was favorable.
Captain West was united in marriage April 12, 1832 to Miss Phoebe V.
Mortimer, a native of Locke Cayuga County, New York.  They had two sons,
Orlando L and Orville T. They lost one daughter, Lizzie W.

Col. West was the oldest Iowa survivor of the civil war.   He was an honored
member of Hyde Clark post, under the auspices of which the funeral will be
held, Wednesday morning from the Congregational Church.

Mr. Orville West, son of deceased was expected to arrive from McGregor last
evening.

[submitted by: A.J.P., April 2005]