Biography of William "Buck" West, White County, Arkansas

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Submitted by: Bonnie Palmer <bpalmer@bihs.net>
        Date: Jun 1997
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/white/white.html
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From Goodspeed's Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas, 1890.

WILLIAM "BUCK" WEST

William C. WEST Sr. is justly conceded to be among White Co.'s most
extensive merchants and his career as such rebounds to his own personal
credit. A native of Alabama, he is the son of William & Mary (HOWARD) WEST,
natives of NC, who moved to AL shortly after their marriage & 1837 went to
Marshall Co., MS to make their home. After the death of his wife in 1884
Mr. WEST came to AR & located in White Co. where his death occurred in 1859
at the age of 84 years. He was a Baptist minister in which work he engaged
for 40 years. He was the father of 11 children, 2 of whom are now living,
R. R. WEST, chancery clerk in De Soto Co. & William C. "Buck", who will be
the subject of this sketch. He was born in Perry Co., AL, Mar. 14, 1828. At
the age of 19 he was employed as a clerk in a store but upon coming to AR
he started into the mercantile business for himself. A short time later he
entered into the employ of a firm in West Point, White Co. In 1858 he
resumed general merchandising with a capital of $500. Just before the
Missouri Campaign he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served as
Adjutant for General Mitchell, remaining in service throughout the Missouri
Campaign. During the war he lost all of his property and had to start again
from the beginning after returning home. By hard work, energy &
perseverance he built up an extensive patronage & his yearly sales now
average $25,000. He also owns 1200 acres of land with 300 acres cleared & a
good portion under cultivation. On May 27, 1856 Mr. WEST was married to
Miss Frances ADAMS, a daughter of Hardin S. ADAMS of MS. She died in 1886
leaving 4 children - Charles Ernest, who is in business with his father,
Lavenia H., Fannie & Mary. Mr. WEST is a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church as also was his wife. He is a Democrat in politics & a member of the
Masonic Order. He was postmaster at West Point 1877-78.