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Submitted: 10/13/14 • Approved: 10/15/14 • Last Updated: 4/21/18 • R757764-G757762-S3
John
Nov. 4, 1843 Adams Co Ohio
Dec. 23, 1924 Blockton Taylor Co Iowa
Susanna
Sep. 19, 1845 Highland Co Ohio
May 27, 1935
Blockton News, Thursday, January 1, 1925, [p. 1]
Obituary
John Arthur West was born in Adams County, Ohio,Nov. 4, 1843, and departed this life at his home in Blockton, Ia., Dec. 23, 1924, aged 81 years, 1 month and 19 days.
He was united in marriage to Susanna Smart, of Highland County, Ohio, August 11, 1864. To this union was born 11 children, as follows: Joseph A., who died in infancy; Mary M. Devore, of Gillette, Wyoming; Cora A. Wisecup, deceased; William L. West, of Blockton; James M., deceased; Elmer E. [llsworth] West, of Grant City; Lewis L. West, of Blockton; Rosa E. Ridge, of Walnut Shade, Mo.; Lucretia G. Ridge, of Blockton; Retha M. King, of Plainview, Texas, and another son who died in infancy.
He enlisted in Co. E, 183rd Ohio infantry, October 5, 1864 and served to the close of the war.
They lived in Adams County, Ohio, until the spring of 1868, when they came to Missouri, settling on a farm five miles south of Blockton. Here they lived until March 1909, when they moved to Blockton where they have since lived.
He united with the Mt. Zion Church of Christ in Adams County, Ohio, in his early life. After coming to Missouri he became a charter member of the Pleasant Ridge church. Later, upon moving to Blockton, he transferred his membership to the Christian church at that place.
Mr. West was one of the most successful farmers of the county, a good citizen, a kind, loving husband and father and a good man [words unreadable] ways took a leading part in civic affairs, and served one term as presiding judge of the county court in Worth County, Missouri.
Besides his companion and the children mentioned above, he leaves to mourn his departure, 24 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
The funeral services were held in the Blockton Christian church Dec. 26, 1924, conducted by Challie E. Graham assisted by L. B. Day and J. A. Brownlee, pastors of the White Oak Church of Christ and the Blockton M. E. church, respectively, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Isadora, Mo., cemetery.
The bereaved ones have the sympathy of their friends in this time of sorrow. We commend them to the kind Heavenly Father who careth even for the sparrows when they fall. May they trust in Him and be led of Him to the land of love and light and life and glory, where all tears are wiped away by His own hand, and all is joy for evermore.
Blockton News, Thursday, June 6, 1935, [p. 1]
Obituary
Susanna Smart was born in Highland County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1845, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Ridge, in Worth county, Mo.,May 27, 1935, at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 8 days.
On August 11, 1864, she was united in marriage with John A. [rthur] West. To this union eleven children were born, six of which still survive, namely: Mrs. Mary Devore, of Gillette, Wyoming; William L., of Blockton; Elmer E. [llsworth], of Grant City, Mo.; Mrs. Rosa Ridge, of Columbia, Mo.; Mrs. Lucretia Ridge, of Blockton, and Mrs. Retha King, of Plainview, Texas. Those who preceded her in death were Joseph A., Mrs. Cora Wisecup, James M., Lewis L., and one child dying in infancy.
In 1868 they felt the call of the New World, as the west was then called, and followed the path of the trailblazers to Worth County, Mo., and settled on the farm where she passed away. They were possessed with that pioneer spirit which enabled them to endure the hardships of western life.
After building together and working together for a new civilization where they witnessed the change from the prairie schooner and ox team to the automobile and tractor, the lives which had been cemented together for 56 years were broken and the spirit of her companion took its flight beyond the twilight and the evening star on Dec. 23, 1924.
When 16 years of age she confessed her faith in Christ in the old Mt. Zion church in Ohio. In 1878 she placed her membership with the Pleasant Ridge church east of Isadora. After moving to Blockton in 1909 she placed her membership there. After the death of her companion she made her home with her daughter until she passed away.
Besides the six children who survive she leaves to mourn her departure, 24 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Maria Clark, of Dwight, Kansas, besides a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held in the Christian church at Isadora, Mo., May 29, conducted by Chas. Showalter, assisted by L. B. Day, after which the remains were laid in the cemetery at the same place. The singers were Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Wake, Mrs. Freda Calkins, and Orlie Watson. The pallbearers were her grandsons, Loyd Ridge, Smith West, Almer Ridge, Raymond West, Fred Jacobs, and Loyd Long.
Contributed on 10/13/14 by robertll
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Record #: 757764