3. George West married FRANCES MEGSON, daughter of RICHARD MEGSON and ANN BOLTON.  George and Frances were married at the Pellar Lane Chapel, in Halifax, County of York, on 18 December 1869, by the rites and ceremonies of the Baptist Church.  George, who was 26 at the time of his marriage, lived on John Street in Halifax.  His occupation was listed as a Joiner (a carpenter who specialized in interior woodwork, like doors and windows).  Frances, who was 23, lived at Stafford Place in Halifax.  The 1881 English Census reported that George employed 3 apprentices in his work as a Joiner, and they had a domestic servant to help run their household.  George came to the United States from England sometime around 1896, with his son Arthur, who was also a carpenter.  They secured a contract in Danville, KY to help in the building of Centre College.  During this same time, Frances operated a china shop in the family home for awhile, and later rented  out the store as a branch of the bakery which she operated on the street south of Saturday Market Square.  George and Arthur built a large home in Danville, and sent for the rest of the family after it was completed.  The rest of the family came over in steerage, arriving sometime in 1898.  A few years later, George and Frances, along with some of the family, moved to Zion City.  In 1908 they moved from Zion City to Portland, moving again in 1915 to Garden Home, a suburb of Portland.  Later, he and Frances moved back to Portland, to 2325 NE 43rd Avenue, which was the home of his son William, and the place where William's children were raised.  Then he and Frances moved to Palo Alto, California, where they lived for a while with their son Fred and his wife Violet.  They were living there when Frances died in 1927.  After Frances' death, George moved back to Portland, where he died on January 20th, 1936, in Portland (Multnomah County), Oregon.  He had lived in the US for 45 years at the time of his death.  George and Frances (Megson) West had thirteen children.    They are (by their date of birth):

      Florence West, born on September 30, 1870, in Halifax, Yorkshire, England.
      William Garland West, born on January 09, 1872, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Arthur West, born on April 22, 1873, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      George Herbert (Bert) West, born on September 16, 1874, in Willows Grove, Beverley, England.  (See below)
      Francis (Frank) West, born on April 12, 1876, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Fred West, born on May 18, 1877, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Ernest Edward West, born on April 12, 1880, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Henry (Harry) Bolton West, born on August 01, 1881, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Walter West, born on April 24, 1883, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Edith Emily West, born on April 26, 1884, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Lillian Alice West, born on August 19, 1885, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Marian Farningham West, born on January 25, 1887, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.
      Harold Megson West, born on January 26, 1890, in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.


4. George Herbert West married HILLAH FLOYD ROWBERRY on August 30, 1900, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She was the daughter of JOHN ROWBERRY and MARY GOLLAHER.  George was a Drummer (a traveling salesman). Hillah had been born in a covered wagon, as her family entered Utah from their previous home in Nauvoo City, Illinois.  She had gone to preparatory school (a teachers' college) when only 15 years old.  She attended the University of Utah from 1889 to 1895.  George died on December 19, 1927, in St. Ignatius, Lake County, Montana, from cancer of the stomach.  After George left her as a widow, Hillah returned to normal school at the University of Montana (1927) to get her teaching credentials.  George and Hillah had seven children.  They are:

      George Rolla West, born on June 04, 1901, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (See below)
      Edith Norma West, born on May 06, 1903, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
      Herbert Manigold West, born on May 05, 1905, in Zion City, Lake County, Illinois.
      Ernest Rowberry West, born on December 04, 1907, in Zion City, Lake County, Illinois.
      Kenneth Avery West, born on July 04, 1911, in Zion City, Lake County, Illinois.
      Frank Holmes West, born on August 12, 1914, in St. Ignatius, Lake County, Montana.
      Richard Douglas West, born on August 14, 1916, in D'Aste, Montana.


5. George Rolla West married OPAL RUTHERFORD on December 20, 1927, in DrumhellerJOHN RUTHERFORD and EVA HOLLENBECK.    

Rolla had lived at 2410 Walnut Ave., Salt Lake, Utah with his parents from the time of his birth on June 4th, until they moved--first to Zion City, Illinois (sometime in 1904 or 1905) and then to Montana between 1911 and 1914.   Rolla worked for the US Bureau of Public Roads for a number of years, working on various road projects throughout Montana.  He worked on the "Going-To-The-Sun Highway" in Glacier National Park, until its completion.  In later years, he operated a smithy and welding shop, in Charlo (Lake County, Montana) and he also farmed.  He raised the first Purebred Percheron stallions in the area, and was a member of the Percheron Horse Association for 70 years.    

Opal Rutherford was the 7th child of John Harrison Rutherford and his wife, Eva May Hollenbeck. She was born on November 26, 1907, in Hettinger, North Dakota.  Her family eventually settled in Rowley, Alberta, in 1920.  Her dad leased farm land from the owner, who resided in British Columbia. The owner had sent Rolla to Alberta to help John with the harvest there.  This was about 1923.  Four years later, on December 20, 1927, Opal and Rolla were married in Drumheller, Alberta.  Opal had been given the choice, by Rolla, to decide where they would settle.  Of course, Opal desired to remain in Alberta, but her mother advised her to go to Montana, to her husband's home.  Opal had been given only one name by her parents, and Rolla said she needed a middle initial.  They settled for her use of the initial "R," signifying Rutherford.  Her name, henceforth, was Opal R. West.    

Rolla died on April 04, 1986 in Ronan, Lake County, Montana.  Opal passed away on February 6, 1988, in Charlo, Lake County, Montana.  They had four children and sixteen grandchildren.    

The following letter was written by George West, following the death of his beloved wife, Frances Megson - to their nieces (Frances sister - Hannah’s daughters).  

381 Elm Place Highland Park  
July 24, 1929  
   
Dear Annie and Emily  

  How are you getting along?  I have done a lot of writing lately but don’t know if I wrote to either of you to tell you of the passing away of your dear Aunt on Monday the 27th of May at half past five in the afternoon.  I think I had written you telling you of her sickness She was longing for her usual Auto drives among the beautiful orchards and flowers which she loved so much.  She was up and voted for Hoover and went to the staduim which is only a few minutes from our house and heard him give his acceptance speach.  Mr Hage, the mayor of Palo Alto is a great and dear friend of ours, is also a friend of and a great worker for Hoover.  He got the Bickells a good position near Hoover when he made his acceptance speach.  He passed close to the Auto your Aunt was setting in and lifted his hat to her.  We think a lot of him and believe he is the best president we have had for many years.  Your Aunt had not been out for about three months and took her bed intirely about two months before she passed away when she became perfectly resigned and passed away peacefully in her sleep leaving the most beautiful heavenly smile ever seen by mortal.   

She had no fear but wished “it was over”, as she held my hand she pressed it gently and said “I am glad you are here, what could I have done without you, don’t leave me”.  These were her last spoken words.  Well she has gone but I often feel her sweet presence.  She would have reached her eighty third year in a few more days, June 9th.  We saw each other when she was only six months turned seventeen and loved each other from the moment we looked at each other face to face with a divine and holy love which never dimmed but burns brighter and stronger even now she is gone.    

She is more precious to me that ever and my great desire is to go to her as quickly as the loving Father sees fit to call me.  I left Palo Alto with her dear body on Tuesday night and was joined on the train at Klamath Fall by my son Walter, arriving at Portland Wednesday night and was met there by Will our oldest son and family, Fanny, Arthurs widdow Fred and family, Marion and family Harold and his wife from Yakima Wash and several friends.  

The casket was taken direct to the Portland Crematorium. Thursday, being Decoration day and a great day at the Crematorium where thousands go to visit the flower decked nitches which contain the purified ashes in lans, of their  
departed love ones. Your Aunt remains remained from Wednesday night to 10 oclock Friday AM  
protected from all idle sightseers. The service for the last rights commenced at 10  O clock.  It was a most beautiful sight to behold.  The casket was covered all around with gorgeous flowers on top, except where the lovely face was seen.  She seemed to say to us, “Oh death where is thy sting, Oh grave where is thy victory."  Thanks be unto God who giveth is the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”  A sweet soprano voice sang the hymn “Abide with Me.”  After which the vicar of St. David's Episcopal Church read part of the Episcopal burial Service and gave a cheerful address free of all gloom and sadness, except referring to the sadness we all fell at loosing the bodily presence of one so dear.  

We bought a beautiful nitch in the “Orchid room,” and there the last remains rest sacred and secure with Harry and Edith who went on before to avail our coming Mother and Me.  

If I were a poet I would immortalize her name, I mean her personality for care not for the name.  She was one of the sweetest characters, gentle patient and true so constant and unchanging.  She has gone but she has not lived in  
vain.  “Her children rise up and call her blesed.”  Her husband also and  he praiseth her, etc.  Proverbs 31: 10 to 31, read and you get the description of your Aunt.  We thank God for the memory of her, it is a rich legacy which time  
will not rob us of while we live.  

I would like to visit you but I expect I will have to forgo the pleasure. It would not be wise on my part to venture too much there hot days.  I arrived here last Sunday from Portland having left there Thursday at 6-10 P.M.  63 1/2 hours continuous ride on the fastest train.  I shall stay here about two weeks, then visit Frank at Danville then back here and stay a week there on to Grand Island breaking my journey there for Edgar Nebraska for a short visit with my sister aand her folks all farmers in that neighborhood then on to Yakima via Portland.  I don’t know where after that but I hope to my dear wife.  I reckon it is about 1500 miles from here to you at Thompsonville or Aracadia.   Yes, the radio is a wonderful discovery.  We shall soon hear easily round the whole world and they say to each other while listening in.  Distance is annihalated.   
My address at Danville is N Third St  c/o Frank West. You have the address. Hoping all are well as we are here, and send our love to you all.     
   
Yours Affectionately,  

Uncle George  

PS  I hope you will make this scribble out, I scarely can read my own writing  

(this letter was transcribed by Linda Fryberger Ames).