WEST
History
The West name, unsurprisingly, is a locational name that was given to people who either lived west of a major settlement, or had come from a place that was considered "the west". It began appearing as a surname in 11th century England. Our own West history can be traced back to late 1700s America.
Abner West
1780 - 1840 (approx.)
Abner was born around 1780 in South Carolina. In 1804, he married Sarah Laffoon, the daughter of a fairly wealthy and influential man, William Laffoon. Many researchers before me believe that this is the reason little is known about Abner's own family - it seems he more closely associated himself with the Laffoons. Abner and Sarah resided in South Carolina for several years before moving to Hopkins, Kentucky where they bought large pieces of land. The two had at least 8 children. Abner died around 1840.
Abner and Sarah's children:
Sources:
Abner and Sarah's children:
- Ellen West, b. 1805, d. 1863
- William West, b. 1807, d. 1872
- Hardin West, b. 1809, d. 1881
- John Laffoon West, b. 1811, d. 1869
- Anastacia West, b. 1815, d. 1893
- Thomas West, b. 1822, d. 1876
- Susan West, b. 1823, d. 1875
- Mary West, b. 1825, d. 1864
Sources:
- U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
- 1810 & 1820 Census
- Will of Elizabeth Gatlin
Hardin West
1809 - 1881
Hardin was born in 1809 in South Carolina. In 1828, he married Catherine Millholland, who we can only assume was already quite pregnant when they got married, and likely died in childbirth, as their marriage, their son's birth, and her death all took place the same year. Their son, William, apparently grew up thinking Hardin's second wife, also named Katherine, was his mother. With this Katherine, he had nine children. Katherine died in 1862, and Hardin married for a third time, to the much younger Sarah Hicks, with whom he had three more children.
Hardin was a farmer, and moved the family from Kentucky to Missouri, and finally, to Texas. He died in 1881 in Grapevine, Texas.
Hardin and Catherine's children:
Hardin and Katherine's children:
Hardin and Sarah's children:
Sources:
Hardin was a farmer, and moved the family from Kentucky to Missouri, and finally, to Texas. He died in 1881 in Grapevine, Texas.
Hardin and Catherine's children:
- William West, b. 1828, d. 1909
Hardin and Katherine's children:
- Jane West, b. 1831, d. 1901
- Sarah West, b. 1833, d. 1868
- John West, b. 1835, d. 1914
- Thomas West, b. 1837, d. 1908
- Mark West, b. 1839, d. 1912
- David West, b. 1843, d. 1868
- Dixon West, b. 1845, d. 1892
- Angelina West, b. 1850
- Emeline West, b. 1853, d. 1871
Hardin and Sarah's children:
- Robert West, b. 1868
- Benjamin Franklin West, b. 1871, d. 1938
- Marion West, b. 1874
Sources:
- Marriage records
- Land deed
- 1850, 1860, 1880 Census
- Gravestone
William West
1828 - 1909
William was born in 1828, the only child of Hardin and Catherine.
He had apparently intended to become a preacher, but was too tempted by the California gold rush to resist. It is not known whether he made any money there, but he eventually decided to head back to Missouri. On his way, he met a group of Mormon missionaries, and converted. This is particularly interesting, as he was apparently inspired to become a Christian preacher largely due to his opposition to the growing tide of Mormonism in his community.
When he met and married his wife, Ann Arnell, is unclear, but his conversion convinced him to stay in Utah, where they raised their five children. At some point in the 1880s, William took a second wife, Mary Taylor, with whom he had one child, my ancestor. Mary, only in her late teens then, did not stay in the marriage long. Their daughter was raised by William and Ann. In 1898, the family moved to Alberta, Canada, where they remained. William died in 1909.
William and Ann's children:
William and Mary's children:
Sources:
He had apparently intended to become a preacher, but was too tempted by the California gold rush to resist. It is not known whether he made any money there, but he eventually decided to head back to Missouri. On his way, he met a group of Mormon missionaries, and converted. This is particularly interesting, as he was apparently inspired to become a Christian preacher largely due to his opposition to the growing tide of Mormonism in his community.
When he met and married his wife, Ann Arnell, is unclear, but his conversion convinced him to stay in Utah, where they raised their five children. At some point in the 1880s, William took a second wife, Mary Taylor, with whom he had one child, my ancestor. Mary, only in her late teens then, did not stay in the marriage long. Their daughter was raised by William and Ann. In 1898, the family moved to Alberta, Canada, where they remained. William died in 1909.
William and Ann's children:
- Eliza Jane West, b. 1869, d. 1957
- Katherine Elizabeth West, b. 1871, d. 1909
- Emeline West, b. 1873, d. 1958
- William West, b. 1876
- Harden Luke West, b. 1880, d. 1963
William and Mary's children:
- Minnie West, b. 1884, d. 1929
Sources:
- U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
- 1880, 1901, 1906 Census
- Diary of William West
- Gravestone
Minnie West
1884 - 1929
Minnie was born in 1884, the only daughter of William and Mary. Her mother left the family home when Minnie was very young, and she was raised by her father and his first wife, Ann.
It is unknown how Minnie and her husband, Clarence Layton, met, but they wed in Utah in 1902 and settled in Alberta where they raised eight children. Both Clarence and Minnie were very active in their community, and seemingly well-liked and trusted.
Minnie was quite involved in the LDS church, and also worked as a secretary and book-keeper, apparently earning herself a reputation as a highly skilled "feminine" worker, to the point of her being sought out by various organizations.
Minnie passed away in 1929 of an unnamed chronic illness, and was buried in Taber, Alberta.
For more information on Minnie and Clarence's children, please visit the Layton page.
Sources:
It is unknown how Minnie and her husband, Clarence Layton, met, but they wed in Utah in 1902 and settled in Alberta where they raised eight children. Both Clarence and Minnie were very active in their community, and seemingly well-liked and trusted.
Minnie was quite involved in the LDS church, and also worked as a secretary and book-keeper, apparently earning herself a reputation as a highly skilled "feminine" worker, to the point of her being sought out by various organizations.
Minnie passed away in 1929 of an unnamed chronic illness, and was buried in Taber, Alberta.
For more information on Minnie and Clarence's children, please visit the Layton page.
Sources:
- 1880, 1901, 1906, 1916, 1921 Census
- U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
- Newspaper article
- Obituary
- Gravestone