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 Jon 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 to this 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 some of the most noted battles of the war, ad 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 Guadeloupe 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 infancy.  Politically, our subject adheres staunchly to the principals 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.

Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas, Chicago; The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892, pg 526