“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

JOHN R. WEST, Dallas, Texas.  Robert J. West was born in Washington county, 
Tennessee, in 1812, and there married Mary Ann Ryland, a native of Washington 
county, Tennessee, and a daughter of John Ryland, who was Clerk and Sheriff of 
Washington county for a period of thirty-three years, making during that time a 
most remarkable record for himself.  The father of our subject was a farmer by 
occupation, and in 1845 he removed to Dallas county, Texas, locating at 
Farmers’ Branch.  This was before the State was admitted to the Union.  For 
some service rendered he received a grant from the Government of 640 acres of 
land, which he improved and converted into a fertile plantation.  He resided on 
this place until his death, which occurred in 1879.  A part of the land is still in 
possession of the family.  He was Treasurer of the county in early days, and was 
one of the first County Commissioners.  He was a consistent member of the old-
school Presbyterian Church.  Mr. West was twice married: first, to Miss Couch, 
by whom he had one daughter, Juliet.  His second marriage was to Mary Ann 
Ryland.  Six children were born of his union: Helena, who first married T. J. Winn, 
and after his death Dr. C. C. Gillespie; John R., the subject of this notice; Annie 
R.; Martha Alice, now Mrs. Floyd; Robert H.; and Mary Catherine, who died in 
infancy.

John R. grew to manhood in this county, and received his early education in the 
pioneer schools.  The first school he attended was taught by his mother in their 
own house, and later a house was erected for this purpose.  He was afterward 
under the instruction of Prof. Hudson, and studied under some of the best-known 
educators of the time.  When he started out in life for himself he chose the 
occupation of farming, which he had followed for two years before the beginning 
of the Civil war.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Texas Cavalry, and 
served faithfully and gallantly until the surrender.  He was promoted to the office 
of Lieutenant in recognition of his courage.  He participated in most of the most 
noted battles of the war, and was once wounded.  When hostilities ceased he 
resumed his agricultural pursuits on the old homestead and remained there until 
1874; he then cultivated a portion of the plantation independently, and in 1889 he 
removed to Dallas, and engaged in the real-estate business.

Mr. West was married in 1865, September 3, to Miss E. W. Winn, a native of 
Tennessee, who came with her parents to Guadaloupe county, Texas, in 1853, 
removing thence to Dallas county in 1858.  Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of 
eight children: Cora, deceased; Ula; Gussie; Swift, deceased; Ann R., deceased; 
John R.; Retta; and one child who died in infancy.  Politically, our subject 
adheres staunchly to the principles of the Democratic Party.  Too much cannot 
be said in praise of those hardy pioneers who prepared the way for the great 
strides civilization has made in the past few years.  Hearts less brave would have 
quailed before the undertaking, and hands less willing would have grown weary 
long before the struggle was ended.

Submitted by: L. Pingel