Charles L. West was born near the beautiful Chautauqua Lake, in New York, on March 30, 1846. When eight years old he came west with his parents. A log cabin without a floor, and a curtain servicing as a door was his first western home near Otranto. He well remembers the Spirit Lake massacre, and provided for the coming of the Indians with bullets made of tea lead. Fortunately he did not have to use them.

His early farming experiences were from pleasant, he being utilized to drive two yoke of steers in breaking. He soon left the farm and entered the Cedar Valley Academy, at Osage, where he worked for his board and tuition for nearly three years. The he clerked for Mr. McNabb for another three years, when he returned to Austin. He held two different clerkships, when in 1871 he went into a small glass and crockery in the city. (Click here to see larger version of the engraving to the left.)

His family consists of wife and four children. He alone is left of his father's family. He has been prominent in Masonic matters for years and has held many important offices in the orders. He has twice been appointed ade-de-camp [aide-de-camp] on the Governor's Staff with the rank of Major. He is now serving his second term as Alderman in the second ward, and during three years has been chairman of the finance committee.

He is a trusted member and officer of the Congregational church, and a thoroughly enterprising citizen, ready to aid in every enterprise of building up Austin. He was married December 18, 1872, to Miss Charlotte C. Hall, Daughter of R. O. Hall

This information is from a book handed down through four generation starting with Jonas Haney (1882- ): Frank Haney (1858-1938): Lenard J. Haney (1892-1975): Agnes Viola Haney Waters (1919).

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Text and first image submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters