The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-02-16
OUR POPULAR PRESIDENT.
Referring, of Course, Not to
Grover, But to Hon,
George West.
A Brief Sketch Of the Chief OfIlcer Of
the Ohio and Northwestern
Railroad.
From The Clermon. Courier

From the Clermont Courier.]
The career of Hon. George West, of
Ballston Spa, New York, the new Presi.
dent Of the Ohio and Northwestern Rail-
road, is at once highly entertaining and
creditable. He was born in Devonshire
county, England, February II, 1923, and
in that country receiving common
school education. He came to this coun-
try with no other capital than this school.
ing, stout heart and strong mind in
February, 1s49, when twenty-six years
of age, to engage in the business of paper
manufacturing, every detail of which he
was familiar with. Locating in that
magnificent country, Central New York,
he found in Saratoga county every op-
portunity he wanted, and was successful
from the start. By steady application
andgreat industry in business he amassed
a considerable fortune in the next twen-
ty years and was known as an active,
influential Republican, as we'll as a
thrifty y-business man. In 1872 he was
elected to the New York State Assembly
and was 80 popular and prominent a
member that he was reelected for five
successive terms, until he declined
further reelection. He was delegate
to the Republican National Convention
at Chicago in 1880 and 1884, and both
times was pronounced partisan of
James G. Blaine. His first service in
Congress was in the Forty-Seventh Con-
gress, and was again elected to the Forty
Ninth Congress as Republican, receiv-
ing 20,9l9 votes against 1929 for Ed
ward Wimple, Democrat, 617 Ray Hub
bell, Prohibitionist, and 92 votes for A.
A. Mclaughlin, Greenbacker. He is
President of the First National Bank at
Ballston Spa, New York, and is interest
ed in many great financial undertakings
throughout the country. 1t is said that
ne owns the largest paper mill in the
world and that his income approximates
$4,000 per month. His attention was
attracted by the Ohio & Northwestern
Railroad some years since and visit to
this section satisfied him with the safety
of large investment in its bonds and
securities, 80 that he has at different
times advanced quite large sums to the
road. From his past successes it is safe
to infer he will make the o. & N. w. one
of the important links in the great trunk
line that is reaching out from Chicago
to tide-water at Newport News, Virginia.
In this connection the following inter-
view had by the Portsmouth Tribune
with well-known manufacturer of that
city will be of general interest. The
gentleman is intimately acquainted with
Mr.. West having met him frequently on
visits to the East:
"Mr. West" be says, sis immensely
wealthy, and is man of great influence.
He represents one OF New York districts
in Congress, and in addition to being a
statesman and man of broad, compre-
hensive views, he is shewd, successful
business man, whose superior ability is
recognized by those who have the pleas
ure of intimately knowing him. He
stands high in commercial circles, and
enjoys the confidence and esteem of all
who come in contact with him in busi-
ness capacity"
"Mr. West is man who always de-
sires to make decided success of what.
ever he takes hold OF, and be it said to
his credit, his anticipations are always
realized. He has never faltered or fail
ed in any of his undertakings. When
invited to accept the Presidency of the
o. & N. w., he reluctantly did so, hay
ing vast amount of other business to
look after, but now that he has been ele-
waited to that position, or rather the
position elevated to him, he gave his
Portsmouth friend to understand that
the future welfare of the road should
receive his careful and considerate at
tention. He keeps himself we'll posted
on the affairs of the road and although
at great distance, there is little trans.
piring along the line that does not come
under his surveillance"
"There has been wrong impression
in the public mind in regard to the
financial status of the o. & N. w. The
tardiness with which they have been
equipping their line. since the change to
standard guage, has not been due to
financial embarrassment as has been
generally supposed. Early in the season,
when the company commenced prepar.
ing for the change of guage, they were
compelled to make an enormous outlay
of money. With four or five construc-
tion trains along the line, and small
army of bridge builders, carpenters, etc.,
at work, their expenses were very heavy,
amounting to thousands of dollars daily.
Yet they met their obligations, and met
them promptly. Not word was heard
about Strengthened circumstances then,