Career
He entered the bar in 1893, and entered private practice in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He served in the United States Army, Second Ohio Infantry, during the Spanish–American War. He was a prosecutor for Logan County, Ohio from 1899 to 1903, returning to private practice in Columbus, Ohio from 1907 to 1910.
West served as a Republican in the Ohio State Senate 1904–1909.
On December 10, 1928, West was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio vacated by David C. Westenhaver. West was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1928, and received his commission the same day.
West served in that capacity until his death, in 1938.
