Résumé

Principal, Thomas L. West, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1900. The American Architect and Building News stated in its 10/20/1900 issue: "Architect Thomas L. West, Seattle, has plans for a white pressed-brick fireproof construction industrial school building to be erected here by the Marie E. Holmes estate; cost $25,000." (See "Building Intelligence," American Architect and Building News, vol. LXX, no. 1295, 10/20/1900, p. xi. Notice of this commission was also published in the Impovement Bulletin, vol. 22, 1900, p. 286.) Presumably, the American Architect and Building News meant that the building was planned for Fremont, a neighborhood of Seattle, and not "Freemont." It is unclear if this industrial school was built. A Marie Holmes died at age 33 in Roslyn, Kittitas County, WA, of consumption on 10/14/1899, although it is not clear if this was the same person whose estate commissioned West.

Partner, Elliott and West, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1901-1904; Partner, Knapp and West, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1905-1909. In 1908, the firm of Knapp and West had its office in Room #459 of the Arcade Building Annex. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1908, p.1639.)

Principal, Thomas L. West, Architect, Seattle, WA, c. 1911, 1915.

Prinicpal, Thomas L. West, Architect, Tulsa, OK, c. 1918. In 1918, West had an office at 18 West 4th Street in Tulsa. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Registration State: Oklahoma; Registration County: Tulsa; Roll: 1852240, accessed 07/16/2017.)

Principal, Thomas L. West, Architect, Long Beach, CA, c. 1942. His mailing address was 346 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA.

Professional Activities

West published a book of house plans entitled, Beautiful Homes, in 1910. One trade publication, Cement Record, said of the book: "Under the above title, Thomas L. West, architect, has published a ninety-page book containing designs and plans of residences. A number of them are comfortable and practical structures, but would be of greater value if constructed of concrete, cement stucco or concrete blocks. To home builders, this book is recommended, copies will be mailed upon receipt of 50 cents by Thomas L. West, architect, 911 White Building, Seattle, Wash." (See Cement Record, vol. 3-4, 1910, p. 36.)

Relocation

Born in Fairview, ID in 1879, his family continued to live there in 1880 as per the US Census of that year. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Fairview and Sinker Creek, Owyhee, Idaho; Roll: 173; Family History Film: 1254173; Page: 345C; Enumeration District: 028, accessed 07/16/2017.) Fairview, ID, is currently in Power County, ID, although multiple documents indicated that the Fairview in which West lived as a boy was located near Sinker Creek in Owyhee County. (See, for example, the US Census of 1880, Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Fairview and Sinker Creek, Owyhee, Idaho; Roll: 173; Family History Film: 1254173; Page: 345C; Enumeration District: 028, accessed 07/16/2017.)

Thomas L. West lived at 2009 Queen Anne Avenue in 1906. (See Polk Seattle Directory Company's Seattle City Directory, 1906, p. 1193.)

The US Census of 1910, indicated that West and his wife lived at 108 East 58th Street in Seattle. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 11, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1662; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0186; FHL microfilm: 1375675, accessed 07/16/2017.)

His World War I draft registration card noted that he lived in Tulsa, OK, on 09/12/1918, working as a self-employed architect. The Wests lived at 317 South Phoenix Avenue in Tulsa. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Registration State: Oklahoma; Registration County: Tulsa; Roll: 1852240, accessed 07/16/2017.)

In 1920, the US Census reported that West, his wife, and their two children lived on South 2nd Street in Yakima, WA.

The Wests probably moved to CA before 1925, as their son, Thomas III had been born in the state. The US Census of 1930 recorded that West, his wife and their now three children resided at 5536 1/2 Virginia Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. They rented their lodging here, that cost $40 per month. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 133; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0042; Image: 632.0; FHL microfilm: 2339868, accessed 07/16/2017.)

He lived with two of his sons at 1395 Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach, CA, in 1940. Although he was listed as being married, his wife was not included in the US Census record for that year. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Long Beach, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T627_370; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 59-73, accessed 07/16/2017.)

At age 63, West lived at 53 Surfline Place, Long Beach, CA, according to his 1942 World War II draft registration card.

West was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA.

Parents

His father, Thomas Latchford West, Sr., (born c. 1840), was from Ontario, Canada, while his mother, Matilda Elizabeth Umber (b. 1854-d. 05/31/1918 in Seattle, WA), grew up in Yreka, CA. Thomas, Sr.'s parents were of Irish descent. Thomas L. West, Sr., was a miner in 1880, and was 13 years older than his wife. Matilda's parents emigrated from Germany. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Fairview and Sinker Creek, Owyhee, Idaho; Roll: 173; Family History Film: 1254173; Page: 345C; Enumeration District: 028, accessed 07/16/2017.) The US Census of 1910 recorded that she had had four children, while the 1900 Census stated that she had had six children, five of whom were alive at that time. Matlida's children included: Charles Centennial West (born 12/08/1876 in Silver City, ID-d. 1956 in WA), Harry W. (born 01/1881 in ID), Laura E. (born 07/1883 in ID), and Frank M. (born 04/1886 in ID).

Thomas, Sr., died before 1900, leaving Matilda to to support her four children. At this time, Charles worked as a bookkeeper, Thomas an architect, and Harry a waiter on a steamboat.

Ten years later, she and her son, Charles, lived together at 2820 34th Avenue South in Seattle as reported by the US Census of that year. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 2, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1658; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0078; FHL microfilm: 1375671, accessed 07/16/2017.)

Spouse

He married Florence Catherine Woodman West (born c. 1888 in SD) in about 1909.

Children

He and Florence had three children: William L. (born 10/09/1911 in WA-d. 02/08/1973 in WA), Sylvia Elizabeth West (b. 12/07/1913 in WA-d. 01/19/1992 in CA), and Thomas L. West III (born c. 1925 in CA).

Biographical Notes

According to his draft registration card of 04/25/1942, West stood 5-feet, 10-inches tall, weighted 160 pounds, had gray hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147, accessed 07/16/2017.)

• Fairview, ID (Architect's Birth)
  Fairview, ID

  ---

  ---