BIO: Abraham WEST, Beaver County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson
  
  Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm
  Index for this bio book.
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  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
  of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
  Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 293-294.
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  ABRAHAM WEST, deceased, who was for many years one of the foremost farmers of
  Marion township, was a descendant of an old and highly respected family of
  Beaver county. He was a son of Peter and Agnes (Boyd) West, and was born in
  New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pa., in 1825.
  
  Peter West, the father of Abraham, was born in West Virginia and, in 1805,
  removed to Beaver county, Pa., with his parents. He rented a farm in Franklin
  township, but later bought one known as "The Knob," in New Sewickley township,
  where he lived and farmed for a period of twelve years. He then purchased a
  tract of four hundred acres in Marion township, - a portion of which is now
  owned by Mrs. West, - and upon this he erected a fine brick residence. He
  died there in 1865, and his wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Boyd, died in
  the year of 1879.
  
  Abraham West, the subject of this sketch, always lived upon the home farm,
  the original property being divided upon the death of his father, and Abraham
  receiving two hundred and fifty acres. He carried on farming and was
  extensively engaged in sheep-raising and dairying, - in late years shipping
  the milk to Allegheny. He died on July 30, 1897, and his death was
  universally mourned, as he was everywhere respected as a man of true worth
  and influence in the community. Since his demise, Mrs. West, aided by two of
  her sons, has carried on the farm with good results. They still continue to
  ship the milk to Allegheny, and have a herd of twenty-two cows. Their farm is
  mostly flat land, and is very productive, being unexcelled in that vicinity.
  
  Abraham West, on March 6, 1860, was joined in wedlock with Mary Jane Sowash,
  who was born in Brighton township, Beaver county, and is a daughter of
  Frederick Sowash. The latter came from Mercer county to Beaver county when a
  young man, and was a stone mason by trade. This union resulted in the birth
  of seven children, as follows: Virginia (Wilson); William B., a fireman on
  the Fort Wayne R. R., who lives at Allegheny; Clinton P., a farmer in Butler
  county;
  
  294  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
  
  Joseph F., deceased; Abraham G., who is living at home; Charles, who lives in
  Zelienople, Butler county; and John F., who is at home. Politically, our
  subject was an active supporter of the Democratic party. We take pleasure in
  presenting his portrait, which appears on a preceding page.