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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  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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William H. West has been following the occupation of merchandising at Coal Hill for some time, and by honest dealing with his patrons he has built up a patronage second to none in this section. He is a native of the county, born in 1853, being the fourth of six children born to Joshua and Eliza (Quire) West, who were born in Alabama, the father a farmer by occupation. He came to Arkansas early in 1850, and for a time resided in Franklin County, then settled in Johnson County and here died in the month of February, 1866, his widow still surviving him. William H. West was reared on the farm and after the death of his father the management of the farm fell to him as he was the eldest son. In 1878 he opened a mercantile establishment at Coal Hill and although he at first kept groceries he later added a general stock of goods, and here in 1883 erected his large store building, 42x64 feet and has now in it a stock of goods worth $5,000, his annual sales being large. He has erected and owns eighteen residences in town and his own home is handsome and commodious. He was married in 1878 to Miss Louisa McPherson, of this county, a daughter of Lewis A. McPherson, an old settler from Alabama. Mr. West is in every respect a self-made man, having made what property he now has by his own exertions. He has been one of the aldermen of Coal Hill for a long time, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat, supporting at all times the men and measures of that party.

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This family biography is one of 65 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Johnson County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Arkansas family biographies here: Johnson County, Arkansas

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