Sources for Orson West and Catherine Griffith Family Group Sheets
A. Private, unpublished family records:
1. Bible: 1886 Pictorial Family Bible presented to Ella Calhoun West from Charles O. West,
Dec. 25, 1890, Denver Colorado. Contains handwritten birth, death and marriage records
in one hand, 1835 to 1901; entries in various hands, 1912 to 1963.
Final entry by Marilou West Ficklin, for death of Alfred Lynn West 1993.
2.Personal letters to Alfred Lynn West, son of Charles O. West.
Letters from Charles O. West, Marjorie (West) Kruse, and Frederick V. West.
B. Vital Records:
Birth Certificates, baptismal records:
None found.
Marriage Certificates, licenses:
1. Cora West to Melvin Beardsley, Santa Cruz, California 26 September 1898. Santa Cruz County
Marriage Book 9, p. 14. Groom M.W. Beardsley, age 50, of Connecticut; bride Cora E. West, 34,
Illinois. Both residents of city of Santa Cruz. J.B. Orr officiating, First Congregational
Church.(Abstract of marriage record, viewed at Santa Cruz County Recorder.)
2. Opal West to Edwin Colley, Index to Marriages, Santa Clara County, 1846-1919, California State Archives, Microfilm 1420198.
Opal Rachel West to Harry Edwin Colley, 7 June 1906, records of the San Jose Historical Museum.
3. Charles West to Ella Calhoun, 8 Oct 1889, Marriage License and record of marriage by George P. Wilson,
minister, in Jackson Co., MO, License # 2636. Recorded 12 Nov 1889.
4. James Griffith West to Miss Lavinia Carrol, 9 Oct 1873, Kansas City at residence of Dr. Evans, Jackson Co. MO
Death Certificates:
5. Alfred Lynn West, 2 January 1929, Willows, Glenn Co. CA,
State Certificate #29-7443, died of influenza and senility. Buried at Willows City Cemetery, 4 Jan 1929.
6. Charles O. West, Missouri State Death Certificate, Register 2412, Jackson Co., Kansas City,
16 June 1932, at age 69. Information given by wife, Mary West (second wife).
Cause of death acute endocarditis, gastroenteritis, chronic neuritis.
Residence 4714 Harrison, Kansas City.
Burial, Mt. Washington Cemetery.
7. Cora Elizabeth (West) Beardsley, Napa County Death Certificate, Registrar No. 340,
died at Imola, CA, Napa State Hospital, described as Female, white, widow of Melvin W. Beardsley. She died 9 August 1946 at age 81 yrs, 5 mos., 27 days.
Born 12 Feb. 1865 in Illinois. Usual occupation housewife, industry lr business Sales Lady.
Mother not given, father not given. Information from committment papers, Napa State Hospital [not available--privacy].
8. Ella B. (Calhoun) West, Missouri State Death Certificate, Register 3691, file 39183,
1 December 1912, Jackson Co., Kansas City. Age at death, 50;
cause of death chronic interstial nephritis.
Residence 3201 E. 26th St. Burial at Mt. Washington.
9. James Griffith West, Napa County, CA, Death Certificate, #281. Died 27 September 1942 at age 90
at Napa State Hospital, Napa CA; usual residence Pathean Home [sic], Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA. Cause of death chronic myocarditis and senile psychosis presbyophrenia.
"Removal to Santa Rosa," Hampton & Eggen Funeral Directors. Burial at Pythian Home Cemetery, Kenwood, Sonoma Co., CA (Find-a-grave).
Information on certificate taken from commitment papers, Napa State Hospital, now unavailable due to legal privacy issues.
10. Marie (McDowd) West, Sonoma County, CA, Death Certificate 1933000363, Register 33-030542
(Vol. 9, p. 726). Died 23 May 1933; spouse James G. West,
died at, Pythian Home, Sonoma County [Kenwood on Rte 112]. Born in Canada, June 16, 1858, age at death 74 yrs, 11 mo. 7 days.
Father Michael J. McDowd born Ireland; mother Catherine Brennan, born Ireland.
Lived in district six years; in California 25 years. Informant:
California Pythian Home . Burial at Pythian Home Cemetery. Cause of death: chronic valvular heartdisease since 1910. State death certificate #30542.
11. Melvin Beardsley, California State Death Index, age 76, d. 15 May 1915, Butte County,
state certificate #14098, no County certificate.
12. Opal Rachel West, Portland, Multnomah Co. OR Death Certificate #121. Oregon Death Index 1903-1998. Died 13 Jan 1934.
13. Harry Edwin Colley, Portland, Multnomah Co. OR Death Certificate #2983. Oregon Death INdex 1903-1998, Died 23 Nov 1925.
Burial and Cemetery:
14. Alfred Lynn West (son of Charles O. West)
buried Alta Mesa Cemetery, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., CA, 1993,
with wife Jewel Kathryn (Herr) West who died 20 February 1955.
15. Charles and Ella Calhoun West buried at Mt. Washington Cemetery, Winner Road at Brookside,
Independence, MO, Bridger Gardens 1, Bl. 4, Lot 686, interments 3347 and 14336.
Inscription: "Mother Ella B. West 1862-1912, Father Chas. O. West 1862-1932."
Burial and lot purchased by Lena West aka Lena Leota Harris, wife of their son, Frederick V. West.
Since Fred and Leota did not marry until October 14, 1913, it appears that the plot was purchased a year after Ella's death.
16. Catherine Griffith, believed buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sec. 132, south half Bl. 11.
According to "Quincy Woodland Cemetery, 1846-1900," Vol 4
(Quincy: Great River Genealogical Society, June 1992) Orson West was among original lot
owners of the cemetery when the district formed in 1879.
(The plot is now occupied by a stone for Harriet Wood Shinn)
No burial record has been found for Catherine but it is possible that her death prompted
Orson to buy the cemetery lot and the stone and burial record have been lost.
Inspection of the plot in 2002 did not reveal the potential lot where Catherine
might be buried. No difinitive record has been found.
17. Melvyn Beardsley's grave in Butte Co., CA has not been found. However Chico Cemetery contains
a possible collateral record:
(Julius O. Beardslee, b. 11 Sept 1814, New Milford CT, d. 29 Mar 1879,
buried Sec. 4, Bl. B lot 338, grave 8. Missionary to Jamaica B.W.I. 35 years.
[Brotherhood of Woodmen International].
Also Tryphena Mae Beardslee, d. 15 June 1963 at age 63 [b. 1900].
Obituaries:
18. Orson C. West, "Fatally Mangled by an Elevator," San Francisco Call, 9 Apr 1901,
loose clipping found in Ella Calhoun West Bible; see also Napa Daily Journal, 10 April 1901, 3:1
(abstract of microfilm, Napa Public Library). Orson West death due to accidental fall down
elevator shaft while visiting at Phelan Building, with son, Alfred.
19. Melvin Beardsley, Oroville Daily Register, 17 May 1915 (transcript of microfilm,
U.C. Periodical Room, Berkeley). "Melvin W. Beardsley, pioneer oil man of California
and prominent businessman of San Francisco died at his home yesterday morning after
an illness of several months duration."
20. Albert West: (Possible Twin of Alfred West) Last record: Missouri 1860 census.
21. Pleasant Morris West: Last record: 1881 Directory, Kansas City.
C. Court Records--Probate
1. Orson C. West Estate file #P1014, Napa County, CA. Died intestate.
Petition filed by Alfred West. Attorney, H.C. Symonds and E.C. Chapman, Mills Building,
Bush and Montgomery, 7th floor, Room 43-5. Bond posted by Alfred L. West, D.S. Kyser,
Henry Brown. Distribution: gold watch, $75; Investment Certificate in Realty Syndicate
of San Francisco #2584; other items $100. Heirs: James G West, 49 of Napa;
Alfred L. West, 44 of San Francisco; Charles O. West, 35, of Kansas City;
Cora E. Beardsley, 32, of Oakland; Opal R. West, 30, of Oakland. Papers viewed at Hall
of Records, Napa County, Napa, CA. Legal Notice Napa Daily Journal 23 April 1902:3:2.
D. Census
1. U.S. 1930
Rachel Colley, inmate Multnomah County Farm, age 63, b. IL, father b. NY,mother b. IA
U.S. 1920, 14th Census, California, NARA Microfilm T625
[viewed at Sutro Library, 9/29/1998]
2. Glenn County, Roll 93, Vol 14, ED 42, Willows, Sheet17,line 60 , no street given, Enumerated with Lloyd M.Titus:
Alfred L. West, 62, b. IL
3. Napa County, Roll 122, Vol. 71. ED 46, Sheet3, line 51, no street given:
James G. West, 68, b. MO
Marie A., [51] b. CAN
4. Alameda County, Oakland, ED 94
Harry Colley, 53, b. ENG (imm. 1888; occ. gardener), wife, Rachel, age 52, b. IL,
father b. NY, mother b. IA; no children.
U.S. 1910, 13th Census, California, NARA Microfilm T653 [viewed at Sacramento, CA State Library., 8/27/1998]
5. Glenn County, Roll, 77, Vol. 25, ED 31, Sheet 13A, Twp 14, Willows W2, Sheet 13A, Dwelling/Household 165/169, Tehama Street,
Enumerated as lodger with proprietor of lodging house, J. Isadore Proulx, Tehama St. Willows, May12, 1910.
Alfred L. West, 52, Real Estate Office; b. IL; [widowed or divorced, illegible]; father b. NY; mother b. US.
6. Lake County, Roll 78, Vol. 28. Supr Dist2, ED 39, Twp 4, Lakeport, dw.116, hh 114 , Apr 22, 1910
James G. West, 59, b. MO, f. b. [IN], m b. OH, married once--for 22 years
Marie M., 47, b. Can (Eng), f b IRE, m. b. IRE, no children living or dead
7. Santa Barbara Co., Roll 104, Santa Barbara Township 2, Ward 6, Supr. Dist. 8., ED 173,
Sheet 2b, 121 Moravilla Avenue [?], April 19, 1910,
Melvyn Beardsley, white, head, male, age 70, married [2 times?],
last marriage for 12 years, no children, b. CT, father b. CT,
mother b. CT, business oil operator, works from home
Cora E. Beardsley, white, wife, female, age 45, married once for 12 years,
no children living or dead, b. in Illinois, father b.[VT], mother b. [??]
8. Alameda County, Roll 70, Vol 8, ED 121, "LO O3 CA",
Opal West, age not reported, birthplace not reported, living with Philip Montague.
U.S. 1900, 12th Census, California, NARA Microfilm T623
[viewed at Sacramento, CA State Library., 8/27/1998]
9. San Mateo Co., Roll 109, Vol.38 ED 38, Twp 2, Sheet 3, line57, Enumerated with John J. Killalee
Opal West, 32, Domestic Servant b. Oct 1867, IL, f. b. [VT], m. b. [OH]
10. Napa Co., Roll 95,Vol.20 ED 91, Napa Twp., Salvador Prect. Sheet 5, line 92, June 1,1900
James G. West, 46, Farmer b. Apr 185[4,], MO, f. b. NY, m. b. [NY]
Marie M., 45, b. June 185[9], CAN (Eng)
11. Napa Co., Roll 95, Vol.20 ED 96, Napa Twp., Sheet 5, line 126, June 1.Enumerated with Albert E. Hatt,739 Main Street Napa City
Orson C. West, 72, Farmer, b. Oct 1827 NY, f b. NY, m b. [VT]
U.S. 1900, 12th Census, Missouri, NARA Microfilm T623
[viewed at Salt Lake City, LDS FHL, 4 October 2001]
12. Jackson Co., Roll 862, Vol. 43, ED 49, Kaw Twp., Sheet 7, line 86, 3005 Terrace St.
Charles O. West, head, 37, b. Sept 1862, IL, father b. NY, mother b. OH; married 11 years
Ella B., wife, 37, b. Oct 1862, mother of 3, 2 living
Frederick V, son, 9, b. Nov 1890, CO
Marjorie, dau., 4, b. March 1896, CO
U.S. 1880 Census, Missouri, NARA Microfilm, T9
[Viewed at Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence Missouri, 5 May 2002]
13. Jackson Co., Roll, 692, Vol 16, Kansas City Ward 1, Sup Dist 6, Ed. 1, p. 18, East Levee, dwelling 117, household 127
O.C. West, white male, 52, merchant, b. OH [sic], father b. OH m. b.____
A.L. white male 22, divorced, clerk b. IL, father b OH mother b. OH
P.M., white male 20, son, clerk b. MO father and mother as above
C.O. white male, 18, son clerk, b. IL "
C.E. white female, 15, dau, b. IL "
O.R. white female 12, dau. b. IL
"
U.S. Census 1870, Illinois, NARA microfilm M 593, (LDSRoll#0545686)
[Viewed at National Archives, San Bruno, CA September 1982]
14. Adams Co., Roll 1860, Quincy, Ward 2 , p. 36, dwelling 253, household 270 .
Orson C. West, head, 43, b. NY, stock dealer, $3500, 2500
Catherine, wife, 43, b. OH
James, son, 18, b. MO, bookkeeper
Alfred, son, 13, b. IL
Pleasant, son, 11, b. MO
Charlie, son, 8, b. IL
Cora, dau, 5, b. IL
Opal, dau, 3, b. IL
U. S. Census 1860, 2nd filming, Missouri, NARA microfilm M653, Roll 625, (LDS#0017205)
[viewed at Salt Lake City, LDS FHL 3 October 2001]
15. Jackson Co., Kansas City, Div. 35, Vol. 11, p. 89, line 17, dwelling 737, household 785,
O.C. West, 38, clerk, b. NY, $3000
Catherine, 33, housekeeping, 33, b. OH
James, 8, b. MO
Albert, 3, b. IL
Alfred, 3, b. IL
Pleasant M., 7 mo., b. MO
U. S. Census 1850, Iowa, Johnson County
(See John West Family Group Sheet)
E. Voter Records:
1. James G. West, Carson City, NV
25 Apr 1888, age 36, b. MO, res: Robinson and Elizabeth, reg # 337
24 Apr 1889, age[38?] b. MO, res: "New old ?, Ward 2", reg # 317
22 Mar 1890, age 38, b. MO, res: Sophia and B?, reg # 91
15 Apr 1891, age 39,b MO, res: Ormsby and Sophia, reg # 243
26 Aug 1892, age 40, b. MO, res: Caroline and Washington, reg # 504
16 Apr 1894, age 42, b. MO, res: btw Washington and Clay in Phillips Division, reg # 110
2. Alfred Lincoln [sic] West, Carson City, NV
19 Sept 1887, age 35, b. IL, res: Valley and King, Ward 1, reg # 670
F. Land Records:
1. Johnson County, Iowa, Deed Orson C. West of Johnson County, IA from Charles and Clarissa Gower of Piscatqua, ME, 16 April 1851 for sw 1/4 of sw 1/4 section 12, Twp 81 N R6W , Book 9, p 131.
2. Carson City, Ormsby County, NV, Recorder 885 Musser, Rm 1025, Carson City, NV.
James G. West to Thomas J. Jarrell, 30 December 1889, Deed (see below) $1000, Book 25, p. 146.
NE 1/4 SE 1/4, Sec 3, Twp 15, Range 20 Ea, Mt Diablo Me
S 1/2 SE 1/4 Sec 3 Twp 15, Range 20 Ea, Mt Diablo Me
NW 1/4 N E1/4 Sec 10, Twp 15, Range 20 Ea, Mt Diablo Mer.
160 acres of contiguous parcels on north and south side of present U.S. 50 northeast of downtown Carson City.
(See New Empire 7 1/2 min quad. USGS). No deed was found for James' original acquisition of this land.
Study of original patents as shown online at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), General Land Office (GLO) web site,
suggests that the parcel lay within a large grant to the Territory of Nevada. The parcel immediately adjacent on the west
was owned by Henry Custer (shown at the BLM GLO site, NNVAA 004646, 001960 and 001719).
James G. West from Mrs. M.E. Rinckel, 18 June 1890, Deed to Lot in Block 20, Phillips Division on Washington Street, $400, Book 25, P. 230.
James G. West to Mrs. Mary Hopper, 18 June 1890, Deed to same lot and block as above,$500 , Book 25, p. 232.
G. Published Records
Biography:
1. Sketch of Alfred Lynn West (son of Orson)
Charles Davis McComish and Mrs. Rebecca T. Lambert, History of Colusa and Glenn Counties, Historical Record Company, Los Angeles, CA, 1918, p. .
Indicates Alfred traveled to Chicago, Louisville, Kentucky and Carson City before settling in San Francisco in 1901 and later in Willows, Glenn County.
Newspaper:
2. Orson C. West, Fractured leg, Napa Republican, 25 September 1896, 1:8 (photocopy Napa Public Library),
mentions Orson lives on the Wakerly Place on Dry Creek Road.
3. J G. West, Knights of Pythias, Napa Daily Journal, 1 September 1898, 3:1. J.G. West, Chancellor Commander of
Carson City, Nevada, will relocate to Napa, renting Peterson place of 43 acres.
Local Directories
1848, Quincy IL J.S. Ware (for future research purposes only)
Christian West 3d bet Hampshire & Main
4. 1855-56, Quincy, IL, J.F. Everhart
O.C. West teamster ss VT bt 11 & 12
(see also Griffith horse farrier es 6th bt Hampshire & VT))
5. 1857-58, Quincy, IL McEvoy & Beatty
Orson C. West, stock dealer, 98 Vermont
6. 1865 Kansas City
James West, clerk
7. 1868-9 Quincy, IL (Williams)
O.C. West, stock dealer. Vermont ss e6th
8. 1869-70 Quincy, IL, Roots
Orson C. West, residence 608 Vermont;
9. 1871-2 Quincy, IL, Llanagdon & Arntzen
Orson C. West, horse dealer 110 n 3rd, r 71 n 6th
James G. West, bookkeeper, 27 n 5th r 71 n 6th
[Mid Continent Public Library microfilms of directories 1861-81, KC 1879-81]
10. 1870 Kansas City
James G. West, salesman, Central house
Mrs. Marie West, Cherry bt 6th and Independence
11. 1871 Kansas City
A.J. Griffith, I Martin & Lewis, bds 1921 Grant
Mrs. M. Griffith, 609 Cherry
12. 1872 Kansas City
Marie West, widow of Joseph, 607 Cherry
13. 1873 Kansas City
John W. Griffith KPRR
J.G. West, bookkeeper, Keenan, res. Kaw Valley Hotel
14. 1879 Kansas City
Chas West, clerk Dogget & Smith 2d ne cor Locust
O.C. West r locust ne cor 2
P.M. West, inspector Bullene, Moores & Emery, r Locust ne cor 2d
15. 1880 Kansas City
Alfred West es Locust bt 1 & 2
Chas West clerk G Y Smith and Co., r Locust \Nelson West, laborer, 517 ;Locust
Orson C. West, I. Spellman & Granger, 2d nr Locust
P. Morris [P.M] West, inspector at Bullene..., r Locust bt 1 & 2
16. 1881 Kansas City
D.A. Griffith, clerk G Y Smith (see Chas West)
James A. Griffith, clerk UPRR r. 1611 Washington
John W. Griffith, chief clerk UPRR r. 1630 Pennsylvania
Robert U. Griffith "
Thomas A. Griffith "
William Griffith, clerk G.Y. Smith, res. 617 Locust
West : Orson C. and P. Morris West see 1880
George S. West bds 507 Locust
17. 1882 Kansas City, Hoye's
Orson C. West, team[ster], residence Locust Street near corner of Second
James G. West, commercial travel [agent], H.C. Paulsen Co., 1144 Ind. Ave.
Charles West works for J.McCue, boards at 300 Main.
18. 1885 Kansas City
James U. Griffith, Secty KC Paper Co, bds 407 w 13th
Robert U. Griffith Clerk, UP RR 1216 Pennsylvania
Thomas A. Griffith, coal dealer 1216 Pennsylvania
19. 1886 Kansas City
Richard H. West d. 9 June 1886
William West laborer bds 208 Locust
Maria West, widow of Joseph r 537 Cherry
Mary Griffith, widow of Alfred W. Griffith, r. rear 203 Cherry
Matthew W. Griffith, r rear 203 Cherry
James U. Griffith KC Paper, r 407 w 13th -
Mary Griffith widow of William, r. 714 Broadway
Robert Griffith reporter Live Stock Record and farmer r 224 w 5th
William M. Griffith bds 119 w 5th
Robert N. Griffith chief clerk, supt. Office UPRR r. 1624 Pennsylvania
Thomas A. Griffith, coal dlr, 12 w 9th, r. 1216 Pennsylvania
20. 1889-1890 Kansas City
Alfred M. Griffith, r. rear 203 Cherry
William J. Griffith, Elevator Co.
Alfred L. West, clerk G. Bernheimer Bros. & Co., 613 e 13
Chas. O. West " Ollie, Bullene etc, r. 215 e 10th
21. 1890-91 Kansas City
Alfred West see 1889-90
Charles [O] or [L] moved to Denver
Denver, Colorado, 1891 Chas O. West, expressman r 710 30th
J.G. West, clk GW Ingalls & Co. r 1125 15th
22. 1891, Denver, Colorado
Chas O. West expressman r 710 30th
William Griffith, Pacific Express Co. r 707 14th
23. 1892, Denver, Colorado
J.G. West clerk G.W. Ingalls & Co. r. 1125 15th
24. 1893, Denver, Colorado
Charles O. West, bell boy, Hotel Broadway 1328 12th St.