West's Move to Ogden

Hope you have all read the news article published April 29, 2008 in the Standard Examiner. It was a well written, accurate, and fair article about the need to replace Chauncey West's gravesite monument. There was a good response to the article. One gentleman called and said he wasn't a descendant but wanted to donate because it was a "worthy cause." I sent email with a link to the article to everyone on my C.W. West address list. I am sure there will be more people contact me as the article gets more widely circulated. Please inform everyone you know who belongs to his family to email me and read my blog http://chaunceywwestmonument.blogspot.com.

I have received the following pledges of donations to the fund as follows: $1,000.00 from Melvin West Wright of Ogden, $500.00 from Mitch Beckstead of Salt Lake City, $500.00 from the Brewer Family represented by Rich Brewer of Ogden, $500.00 from me, Norma W. Buchanan. Two callers said they would send in a donation but did not state the amount. When the electronic statement is available I will post it.

I am indebted to Chauncey's grandson Franklin West as the following information was taken almost exclusively from selected portions of his published booklet, "Chauncey West Pioneer - Churchman" with some paraphrasing and a few added comments by me.

Shortly after Chauncey returned to his home in Salt Lake from his mission, he and his wife Mary with their two young sons Chauncey Jr, and Joseph moved to Ogden. The West family lived in Bingham's Fort the winter of 1855. In the spring, he obtained almost the entire block between 23rd and 24th Street and Main Street, now Washington, and Grant in what became the center of the business district of Ogden. (That area is currently part of the revitalization of downtown Ogden and called "The Junction.")

He built his home and a large barn on Main Street and planted almost the entire block into an orchard and a vegetable garden. At the same time he purchased 160 acres of land in Harrisville and built a small canal out of the Ogden River to irrigate it.

During this time, cattle were taken up through North Ogden Canyon to the Ogden Valley in the spring and then taken back in the fall. During the winter Chauncey kept his cattle on his ranch in Harrisville. Shortly after beginning to raise cattle, he started a meat business and established a market on his property.

Chauncey began a sizeable lumber business in Wheeler Canyon where he built a road and established a mill driven by water power from Wheeler Creek. He built and operated a tannery and used the leather in making boots, shoes, harnesses and saddles. He also built a wagon and blacksmith shop on the present site of the Methodist Church and had his meat market on the same street. Near the center of the block on 24th Street, he established a livery stable. Across the street on the corner of Main and 24th Street, he built and operated a hotel called the Ogden House. His barn was large enough that it was used as a social center for operas, plays, and dancing parties before ward houses were built.

Chauncey was called to be Bishop of the Third Ward almost as soon as he settled in Ogden. Within a short time he was appointed as Presiding Bishop of Weber County which office he held for the rest of his life. He was responsible for the collection and management of the tithing of all of the wards of Weber County. Keep in mind that tithing in those days was almost all "in kind," such as produce, animals, and other home produced commodities. The Bishop had to keep an accurate record of what was given, and give proper credit where it belonged and then to convert these articles into cash. He also had to know the needs of those in distress and to wisely help them get on their feet or provide them with the necessities of life from the storehouse. For at least eight years before regular mercantile stores were established, the tithing office was the only means of exchange for commodities.

His great energy and business ability was used to provide employment for the many pioneers moving into the area from all over the world. He was closely associated with Lorin Farr who was the Stake President. As noted by Franklin West's, "These two fine men worked together most harmoniously and beautifully, not only in religious matters, but they were closely associated in some business ventures, particularly in the construction of the railroad."

More about that very important time in the history of our country and in the life of Chauncey West in next week's episode