Napoleon Bonaparte West
Napoleon Bonaparte West was born September 13, 1846, in Highland County, Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Amanda Crawford and his father's name was Isaac Newton West. His father and mother were married in West Union, September 28, 1845. His father was born in Highland County, Ohio. His grandfather, James West, was from Virginia. His father died in Buford, Highland County, in 1852, of that "Fell Destroyer," consumption, leaving his mother with him and a sister, Josephine, born in 1848. His mother took her two children and went to the home of her mother, Mrs. Daniel Matheny, in West Union. Here she fell a victim of the same disease in 1854. James McClanahan was appointed guardian of the two children and he placed them with Thomas Reighley. of North Liberty, who reared them. Our subject enlisted in Company G, 129th O. V. I., July 14, 1863, and served in that regiment until March 8, 1864. He re-enlisted in Company H, 173d O. V. I., August 31, 1864 and served until June 26, 1865. At the date of his first enlistment, he was of the right age to make a good soldier and did make an excellent one. He knew what was most important to a soldier—he knew how to take care of himself, and for that quality he survived the service to this day. After his return from the army, he removed to Peoria, Illinois, where he resided until 1868, when he went to Manchester and resided there until 1871. December 31, 1870, he was united in marriage to Louisa A. Little, sister of Capt. W. W. Little, at Manchester. He removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, in March, 1871, where he has since resided. He worked for his brother-in-law, Capt. Little, until 1877, when he went into the Burgess mill and worked there until 1886, when he went to draying and carting. In politics, he has always been a Republican. He has had five children: James P. and Claude, electricians; Anna, George and William. His son Otto died in the Regular Army, a member of the Sixth Infantry.
He prides himself on his honesty and fair dealing, and is highly respected by all his acquaintances. He belongs to no organization but the Grand Army. His wife died suddenly on December 7, 1888. He tries to do his part according to the best of his information and ability, and when death calls him, he will have no regrets.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900