Peyton West

As printed in 1882

PEYTON M. WEST, farmer, P. O. Martinsville. About 1806, Owen and Elizabeth (Martin) West, natives of Pittsylvania County, Va, came to the territory now included in Clinton County, locating on the East Fork of the Little Miami, in Clark Township. With them came a large family of children, viz.: Owen, William (who was a married man), James, Thomas, Peyton, John, Nancy, Jane, Mary, Susan and Rebecca Owen, Sr., was a surveyor, as were also his sons Owen and Peyton, and at an early day did much of the surveying throughout this portion of Clinton County. The family were Friends in religious belief, and the parents lived and died on the farm which they entered. Peyton, the father of our subject, was also a native of the Old Dominion and grew to maturity in Clark Township, where nearly all his days were passed. He learned the art of surveying from his father, following that vocation in connection with farming all his life. He was County Surveyor of Clinton County from October, 1840, until October, 1846, serving two terms. He was the agent for some of the original land owners in this region of country, and surveyed and sold their laud. Peyton West was married to Sarah Hadley, a daughter of James and Ann Hadley, who boro him the following children: James H., Joseph H., William IT., Peyton M., Elisha B., Edith, Sarah Ann, Esther Jane, Caroline, Jeremiah IT. and Hannah M., all of whom became the heads of families, excepting the last mentioned, who died in girlhood, since which two others have passed away, viz.: Joseph H., who died in Wilmiugton, and Jeremiah H. on his farm in Washington Township. At an early day, Peyton West was engaged for two years in merchandising in Wilmington, and, with that exception, always resided on his farm in Clark Township, where he died August 22,

18G8, hia wi fn surviving him and dying Juno 23, 187(5. Thoir bodies worn interred in the Odd Fellows Cemetery of Clark Township. Peyton West was a man of large, muscular frame and strong determination of character, possessing a good education and hard common sense; he became a very successful farmer, giving to every one of his children a good start in life, all of whom living arc residents of Ohio. lie was one of the first to introduce tiling into his township, and ever took a deep interest in the growth and improvement of stock The old homestead, now the property of one of his daughters, is said to be one of the finest farms in Clinton County, and in fact there were few more useful men in the community than this old surveyor of Clinton County. Peyton M. West, the fourth son of Peyton and Sarah (Hadley) West, was born upon the old homestead August 22, 182G, and there grew to manhood, having such educational advantages ns the log schoolhouse of his neighborhood afforded. He was reared to farm life, but in later years was ongngod in many different calling. lie wns married, May 2G, 1853, to Sarah Jackson, daughter of Josiah and Huth Jackson; she was a native of Clinton County, Ohio, and beeaino tho mother of seven children, viz.: Mariotta, Emerson B. (’deceased), Clara M., Frank, Josiah E. and two died in infancy. Mrs. West died October 28, 18(18, and ho wns again married, October 25, 18(59, to Anna Dean, who has borne him tho following children: Harry D. (deceased), Roy, Musa, Carl and Pearlo. Politically, Mr. West was a Whig in early life, hut since tho formation of tho Republican party has supported and voted that ticket. He is the owner of 2(10 acres of fine land in Clark Township, also some lots in Wilmington and 400 acres in Southeast Missouri. Ho resides at Martinsville, but looks after his farm, which lies some distance south of that village. Mr. West is a man who has traveled considerably, possesses broad views and a well-informed mind, and, like his ancestors, adheres to the Friends’ Church.

As printed in The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.