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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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Capt. J. T. West, lumber merchant, Hope, Ark. This prominent business man is president and general manager of the Hope Lumber Company, and is thoroughly experienced in all the details of the lumber business. He was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1836, and was the son of Truman W. West, a native of New York, and a farmer by pursuit. The mother, whose maiden name was Ernely Lazell, was also a native of the Empire State. Capt. J. T. West was reared in the Buckeye State, until fourteen years of age, after which he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained for two years in the employ of his uncle in the wholesale grocery store. When sixteen years of age he went on the Mississippi River, learning to be a pilot, between St. Louis and St. Paul, and procured Government license as a pilot when eighteen years of age. He filled this position until 1860, when he took charge of a steamer as captain and part owner, and followed the river until 1870. A part of this time he ran between St. Louis and New Orleans, and owned and ran a great many steamers, some of the best on the river. In December, 1870, he came to Hope, where he engaged in the lumber business, and has since resided here. He has one of the largest planing-mills in Southwestern Arkansas, and does an immense business, shipping lumber all over the Northern States. He was married first, in 1857, to Miss Helen E. Sweet, and has one child living—Willie. His second marriage was to Miss Hattie A. West, who bore him one child— Wanda. Capt. West is a member of the K. of P., and has been a member of the council several terms. When he came to Hope he had but $700, all of which he invested in an old saw mill near Hope. He had no experience in the lumber business, but has made quite a success out of it. The firm now has a paid-up capital stock of $80,000, and employs seventy-five men when in full operation. The Captain is now interested in the public enterprises of Hope—cotton compress, banks, etc.

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This family biography is one of 131 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hempstead County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Hempstead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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