Milton Horace West

Background

Milton Horace West was born on a farm near Gonzales, Texas on June 30, 1888.

Education

As a child he attended the local public schools in Gonzales County and later enrolled at West Texas Military Academy in San Antonio, Texas.

Career

After graduation West served with the Texas Rangers from 1911 to 1912. In 1915, after being admitted to the Texas state bar, he opened his first legal practice in Floresville, Texas. From 1922 to 1925, West served as district attorney for Texas"s 28th judicial district and later as assistant district attorney from 1927 to 1930.

In 1933 West became a United States. Representative when he was elected to replace John North. Garner after his resignation.

He was later reelected to seven of his own terms in congress. He was reelected unopposed in 1942, 1944, and 1946 and did not stand for reelection in 1948.

He died in office on October 28, 1948. He was a longtime resident of Brownsville, Texas where his body was buried in Buena Vista Cemetery.

Achievements

• He won his first public office in 1930 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives where he served as a Democrat from 1930 to 1933. Lloyd Bentsen won the special election to fill West"s vacant seat.