-------------------------------
from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Charles B. West, of Oskaloosa, was born in Jackson county, Illinois, June 11, 1848. His father, Ezekiel West, was one of those hardy pioneers who from their eastern homes set out to conquer the wilderness and to wrest from nature the wild lands that now constitute in part the magnificent empire of the middle west. He came to Mahaska county when his son Charles was but a few months old, having made the journey in a wagon, after which he settled in Garfield township, where he became owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land now in possession of our subject. He was a public-spirited citizen and a loyal friend. It is recorded that once in the early settlement of this part of the state a grain famine prevailed, owing to the shortage of crops. Mr. West was more fortunate than most of the other settlers, having a good crop with considerable grain for the market. A number of speculators and same persons passing through the territory offered to purchase all of his marketable supply at a high figure. "Not a dollar's worth will I sell," replied Mr. West, "until my neighbors are supplied." This indicates the character of the man, for he always manifested a helpful and generous spirit. He died in 1866, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Bateman, died in 1892. In the family, in addition to Charles, there was a son, Isaac Newton, who was a member of the Thirty-third Iowa Regiment and died in a hospital at Little Rack, Arkansas, during the Civil war. There were also three daughters: Mrs. Sarah J. Else, the wife of J. J. Else, of Oskaloosa; Susan, also of Oskaloosa; and Mary, who died in 1876. Charles B. West was educated in the district schools and at Oskaloosa College until twenty-one years of age. After completing his education he began farming on the old homestead where he remained until 1878, when he removed to Oskaloosa and engaged in the agricultural implement business, admitting John Dusenberry to a partnership. They continued in business successfully for fifteen years. Mr. West in the meantime became the owner of farm property and now owns a splendid tract of land of three hundred acres, located partly in Garfield and partly in Scott townships. On this tract he fattens large numbers of cattle, which he ships to the Chicago market and to the east, and his agricultural and stock-raising interests are bringing to him a gratifying financial reward. In politics Mr. West is a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity in Oskaloosa. In 1878 occurred the marriage of Mr. West and Miss Beranda Dusenberry, a daughter of John and Christiana Dusenberry, of the well known Dusenberry family of Garfield township. Unto this marriage have been born four children: Lena L., Clifford B., Fay W. and Walter Guy. The daughters, Lena and Fay, are graduates of Penn College, the former having completed the course in 1902 and the latter in 1905. Guy also finished his education in Penn College and is now in business with his father. Of the young men of Mahaska county it is safe to say that few of his age are better known to the public than Clifford B. West. He is a graduate of the State University, and in the fall of 1905 was nominated for the position of county clerk, winning the election by a large majority, having run several hundred votes ahead of his ticket. He is now the youngest county clerk in Iowa, and in fact, the youngest that has ever held the office in Mahaska county. The West family occupy a beautiful residence on Market street and K avenue and, as all who know them will testify, the members of the household are highly respected, having a host of warm friends in Oskaloosa and throughout Mahaska county.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy