This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: West Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/TJB.2ACI/1280 Message Board Post: The citation for the book is: Title: History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Publisher: Minneapolis: Minnesota Historical Company, 1881 Contents: The Geology of the Upper Mississippi and Saint Louis Valleys by N.H. Winchell; Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota by Edward D. Neill; Outlines of the History of Minnesota by J. Fletcher Williams; State Education by Charles A. Bryant Page: 400 City of St. Cloud J.E. West, one of St. Cloud's pioneers, and Postmaster since 1869, is a native of Greene county, Ohio, born in 1833. He came to St. Cloud in 1855, and was engaged in the lumber business a short time, but the following spring, established a general store, which he discontinued in 1857. He then manufactured lime and brick, and was also engaged in building for several years. In 1862, he enlisted in Company I, of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served three years' he was mustered in as Sargeant, but promoted to Lieutenant, and held a Captain's commission at the time of his discharge. Mr. West returned to St. Cloud and has ever since been losely identified with the progressive element of the city.