My Genealogy Hound

Washington West. One of Newton County’s most prominent industries is her milling interest, and among those most actively engaged in this branch of commercial trade is Washington West. He was born in North Carolina July 4, 1828, and his father, Abraham West, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sina Hadley, were both natives of the same State, the latter being of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Washington West was brought to Indiana by his parents when an infant, was reared in Hendricks County, and assisted his father at both farming and milling. He was married in 1851 to Miss Lucinda Staley, a native of North Carolina, but reared in Morgan County, Ind., and they have the following named children: Mary (wife of E. Patterson), Sina Jane (wife of Thomas Casey), John Albert, Allen and Clarence. Owing to the impaired health of his wife Mr. West found it important to seek a change of climate, and, after prospecting, decided to ideate in Newton County. He purchased a farm, improved the same, and at once took rank as one of the most successful agriculturists in the county. At present his landed estate contains little less than 700 acres He purchased his present mill site in 1881, but not until 1882 did he assume entire charge of the same. He has added improved machinery, until the quality of his product is all that the most critical could desire, and meets with a ready sale. In Mr. West’s farming operations it would be hard to find a man who has exercised better practical judgment, or one who has contributed more substantial benefits to the county, and what has been said in regard to his farm, may be said truthfully in regard to his mill.