Mordecai West was born around 1838 in Montgomery, Pennsylvania and worked as a farmer prior to the Civil War. He enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to serve a three year term as a member of Company A of the 6th United States Colored Troops. West was described as being five feet and four inches tall with hazel eyes and black hair. He mustered in on July 28, 1863, was promoted to corporal on December 27, 1863, before being wounded in action at Petersburg, Virginia on June 15, 1864. West returned to active duty on August 20, 1864. He married Elizabeth in 1866 and the two had a daughter named Annie. West worked as a laborer after the war and was laid to rest in Treemont Cemetery in Norristown, Pennsylvania on November 21, 1908. (By Brenna McKelvey)
Life Span
to
Life Summary
Full name
Mordecai West
Place of Birth
Burial Place
Birth Date Certainty
Estimated
Death Date Certainty
Exact
Gender
Male
Race
Black
Sectional choice
North
Origins
Free State
No. of Spouses
1
No. of Children
1
Family
Elizabeth West (wife, 1866), Annie West (daughter)
Occupation
Military
Farmer or Planter
Relation to Slavery
Free black
Military
Union Army