West was born in 1899 to William B. and Hannah Thomas from Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was the third of four children. The family moved from their farm in Burgettstown to Washington, Pennsylvania in 1911. West's father opened a drug store that later was turned into a grocery store and was elected to Washington City Council. West's nickname, Pruner, came from a mispronunciation of "Peruna" a cough syrup sold by his father. Charles was an outstanding athlete at Washington High School and was scouted by Pittsburgh Pirates. Rumors circulated that he had outraced a horse and wrestled the family bull to the ground.