Santa Cruz County Biographies

EDWARD SWIFT WEST

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        E. S. West is the superintendent of the Pacific Avenue Railway. He is 
prominent in the Masonic Order, and well and favorably known in Santa Cruz. He 
was born in Essex County, New York, May 2, 1837. He lived at home, attending the 
public schools in his younger days, until 1856. In this year he came to 
California, working in the mines in the counties of Placer and El Dorado. He 
followed mining until 1863, and in March of that year he came to Santa Cruz, 
under engagement with the California Powder Works. He worked with that 
corporation  for one year, and returned to the mines. He was at Silver Mountain 
for one year, and arrived at Santa Cruz the second time in 1865, on the very 
evening of President Lincoln's assassination. He entered the employ of the 
California Powder Company and remained with them for fifteen years; subsequent 
to 1867 he acted as the company's wharfinger and manager at the beach. He 
subsequently engaged in the dairying business in this county, which occupation 
he followed for three years. In 1880 he went to Mendocino County, following the 
lumber business for one year, when he went to the State of Nevada, in the employ 
of the Nevada Land and Cattle Company an English syndicate. After working for 
them two years, he returned to Santa Cruz, and since that time has been employed 
by the Pacific Avenue Railroad Company.
        He was married, in 1865, to Miss Jennie F. Gourley, who has since died, 
leaving two children, Edward Albert and Winnie Mary. Mr. West is Master of Santa 
Cruz Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., and member of Santa Cruz Chapter, No. 38, R. A. 
M., and also belongs to San Jose Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, 
Branciforte Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F., and Knights of Honor, and is also Past 
Grand Patron of the Order Eastern Star of the State of California.
 
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.-  E. S. Harrison, 
Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891