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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri 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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Z. L. West, an enterprising farmer and lead miner of Miller Township, Dallas County, was born in Gasconade County, Mo., August 11, 1825, and is a son of William and Elizabeth West, the former a native of Kentucky, who moved to St. Louis, Mo., in 1809, and to Gasconade County in 1811, where he was one of the earliest settlers. He erected the second house built on the Gasconade River, and had many a dispute and fight with the native Indians. He was a farmer by occupation, and the father of eight children, four girls and four boys, of whom our subject is the only one residing in Missouri. William West died in 1854. Z. L. West spent his early life in Gasconade and Maries Counties, Mo., and when but sixteen years of age began an independent life as a farmer. In 1849 he married Miss Mary M. Harris, a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of Micajah and Barsheba Harris. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of nine children, of whom five are living, viz.: William M., Mary E., Courtney, Zachariah, Sarah M. Duff and Wesley. The family moved to Dallas County, Mo., in 1848, where Mr. West purchased a claim, and as a result of industry and good management has built up his present home. He owns 244 acres of land, upon which he has good improvements and a good, comfortable house. In 1884 he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Missouri Mounted Infantry, took part in the battles of Jefferson City, Big Blue and Mine Creek, and received his discharge at the close of the war at Springfield, Mo. Mr. West is a member of the G. A. R., and is a Republican in politics.

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This family biography is one of 74 biographies included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dallas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Dallas County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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