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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John A. West is justly considered one among the leading citizens of Madison Township, Grant County. He was born in Tippah County, Miss., August 4, 1847, being the son of James and Eliza (Partlow) West, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and South Carolina. The father was born February 1, 1795, and died August 9, 1872. His wife was born January 29, 1806, and died July 24, 1879. They were married in South Carolina, moving thence to Tippah County, Miss., which they made their home until 1849, when they came to Arkansas, locating near the present location of their son John. Here they resided during the remainder of their lives. Mrs. West was a member of the Baptist Church for many years previous to her death. Mr. West followed farming all his life, and was very successful, never having to buy corn or meat, as he raised both in abundance. He was well known as a farmer, and respected by all his acquaintances. Out of a family of eleven children born to them, but four survive: William M. (a farmer of Jefferson County), Rebecca L. (wife of James Prescott, a farmer, now deceased), Salena (wife of W. P. Clement, a farmer of Grant County) and John A. (who is the youngest.) Receiving his education in what is now Grant County, John A. West, at the age of twenty-one years, began life for himself as a farmer. Though his means at the time were very limited, through his indomitable energy and industry, he now owns 340 acres of land, with about ninety acres of medium fertility in cultivation. On September 3, 1868, he was married to Elizabeth Clement, daughter of James Clement, of Grant County. She was born in Northwestern Georgia, in the month of March, 1850. By this union there were nine children, all of whom are living: James F., Noah S., Benjamin J., William P., Greenberry, Joseph W., Ella J., John T. and Henry E. Mr. West is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, officiating as elder, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a Free and Accepted Mason, now holding the office of Worshipful Master in Taylor Lodge No. 206. He has also represented his lodge in the Most Worthy Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He is a friend of all religious and educational enterprises, and politically is a member of the Republican party. In connection with farming, he has worked some as a carpenter, though not claiming to be an adept at that trade.

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This family biography is one of 68 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Grant County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Grant County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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