Josiah Elam West was born December 13, 1833, in Green County, Ohio. He was married to Alcetta Francis Mason in October 1854 in Bloomington, Illinois.
The 1860 United States census showed Josiah E. West (age 26, born in Ohio, lime burner) married to Alcetta F. (age 22, born in Ohio) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A son, Willis M. (age 2, born in Minnesota), also lived with the couple.
Josiah E. West enlisted in the Civil War on September 6, 1862, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was a member of the 7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
The 1875 Minnesota census showed Jo. E. West (age 42, born in Ohio) married to A. F. (age 37, born in Ohio) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Josiah West was married to Emma Cambell on November 26, 1878, in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The 1880 United States census showed Josiah E. West (age 46, born in Ohio, post master) married to Emma C. (age 33, born in New York) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
J. E. WEST, one of St. Cloud’s pioneers, and Postmaster since 1869, is a native of Greene county, Ohio, born in 1833. He came to St. Cloud in 1855, and was engaged in the lumber business a short time, but the following spring, established a general store, which he discontinued in 1857. He then manufactured lime and brick, and was also engaged in building for several years. In 1862, he enlisted in Company I, of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served three years; he was mustered in as Sergeant, but promoted to Lieutenant, and held a Captain’s commission at the time of his discharge. Mr. West returned to St. Cloud and has ever since been closely identified with the progressive element of the city. (History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, Winchell, Neill, Williams, and Bryant, Minnesota Historical Company, Minneapolis, 1881, Page 400)
The 1885 Minnesota census showed Josiah E. West (age 51, born in Ohio) married to Emma C. (age 37, born in Ohio) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The 1895 Minnesota census showed J. E. West (age 61, born in Ohio, merchant) living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The 1900 United States census showed Josiah E. West (age 66, born in December 1833 in Ohio, real estate) married to Mary C. (age 58, born in March 1841 in Ohio) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The 1910 United States census showed Josiah E. West (age 76, born in Ohio, real estate) married to Mary C. (age 68, born in Ohio) and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Josiah E. West died November 9, 1911, in Stearns County, Minnesota.