John West Jr. was born on January 1, 1797. His Father, John West Sr., fought in the Revolutionary War. In 1798, John Sr. moved from Kentucky to Ohio with his wife and children. In 1808, John Sr. died at the age of 50. John Jr. took over the farm after his father's death. He eventually purchased his own farm in 1816, at only 19 years of age. In 1832, he purchased a larger 202 acre farm and moved his family there. Besides being a farmer, he also served as the Byrd Township Trustee and Treasurer. Mr. West was a powerful and well respected man in his day. "His life can be said to have been one of usefulness and success".