Dr. Preston Caplinger West

Dr. Preston Caplinger West

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156566503/preston_c_west

Dr. West was born at Louisville, Kentucky on March 31, 1841. His academic course was taken at Fulton, Missouri, and he graduated in medicine at the Louisville, Kentucky, Medical University in 1863, at the age of 22. Soon after the war he was for two or three years physician to the Louisville City Hospital and House of Refuge. In July 1866, he was married to Miss Winifred Wilcox, of Rodney, Mississippi, and unto them were born one daughter, who lived only two months, and two sons, Preston C. and Gustavus W. West.

In June, 1870, they removed to Arkansas, making their home in Desha County, where they remained until July, 1879. On account of the frequent overflows consequent upon a residence in that section, it was decided to change their location, and on February 17, 1880, they came to LaGrange, in Lee County, where they made their home, and by their sterling worth and integrity of character, made a host of warm and lasting friends.

Here on May 21, 1887, Mrs. West died, and the family ties were sundered; since when Dr. West has devoted his time to the education of his sons. For some time they attended the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Tennessee, after which the older son, Preston, went to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he read law with Messrs. Winchester & Bryant, one of Fort Smith's most prominent legal firms. Subsequently, Preston went to the University of Virginia, to pursue the study of law, and was there at school at the time of his father's death. In the meantime, the younger son, Gus, had become associated with his father in mercantile pursuits, under the firm name of P. C West & Son.

Dr. West was for many years subject to attacks of asthma, during which he suffered as those only similarly afflicted can suffer, and it was during one of these attacks that he passed away on Thursday, November 21, 1889.

It is probable that there has never been felt the deep sorrow and sense of absolute loss in that community over the death of any person before. At his funeral all were present in a sorrowing procession. He was buried in the Masonic Cemetery at LaGrange, and loving hands covered his last resting place with flowers.

As a physician Dr. West stood in the front rank. A steadfast friend, his loss was most deeply felt by all.