Eliza A. West

MRS. ELIZA A. WEST, widow of the late E. H. West, is a native of Marshall, Michigan, and was born in 1840. She is a daughter of Isaac B. and Susan (Bentley) Woodcock. Since her husband's death, she has successfully managed her farm, which is in section 20, township 33, range 18, in Mound Valley township, Labette county, Kansas.

Isaac B. Woodcock spent most of his life near Otego, New York, but his declining years were spent in the home of his daughter. Mrs. Woodcock was a native of England, and came to America when she was fourteen years old. She died in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock were the parents of five children, namely: Eliza A., the subject of this sketch; D. B., who is engaged in the livery business in Illinois; R. A. (Sweet), who lives in Carson City, Michigan; M. J. (Knickerbocker), of the same place; and S. M. (Duffy), whose husband is a real estate dealer in California. Mr. Woodcock followed the occupation of a farmer.

E. H. West, deceased, who was the husband of our subject, was born in New Hampshire in 1830. When he was two years old, his parents moved to the eastern part of New York, and later, to the southern part of Michigan. Mr. West was reared in New York and in Michigan. He had two brothers and three sisters, viz.: Sarah (McKnight), of Michigan; Walter, who lives in Minnesota; Mary, deceased; Lucinda (Simpson), who died during the Civil war; and Seth, whose home is in Michigan. Mr. West was united in marriage with Eliza A. Woodcock, the subject of this sketch. They lived on a farm in Michigan, until their removal to Kansas. March 23, 1870, they went by rail to Fort Scott, Kansas, having decided to try their fortune in Kansas, - Mr. West had looked over that country some time before. They bought the present home farm in Mound Valley township, from Mr. Whitesell. Mr. Ross and Mr. Wells were then the only near neighbors. There were no improvements on the place except a log house which stood near the creek. The present substantial house was built in the fall of 1870, - the lumber being hauled from Carthage and Columbus, and some of it from the mill at Oswego. Mrs. West also bought another quarter-section of land, which is now owned by her son, E. B. West. Mr. West departed this life in 1876, and his death was sincerely mourned by all, as he was a loyal and useful citizen.

Since her husband's death Mrs. West has had the sole management of the farm, and has made many valuable improvements on the place. She has a good orchard, the trees of which she planted. The barns and outbuildings are all large and commodious, and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. Mrs. West has four children, namely: Mrs. Thompson, of Pierce City, Missouri; E. B., who is engaged in the implement business in Mound Valley; F. E., who lives on the farm with his mother; and H. E., superintendent of the telephone offices at Pittsburg, Kansas.

Mr. West was a Republican in politics, and was a very well informed man. Mrs. West is a member of the Methodist church. She is a kind and charitable neighbor, and has many estimable qualities which make her warmly regarded by all.