Both for economic opportunity and to start cattle ranches (mainly economic opportunity though, as they didn't really discover cattle herding until seeing it done by the western Indian tribes
It was in the late 1800s, saw a significant change in America. Homestead Act encouraged the American people to settle in the West. Railroad and Gold was another reason that persuaded some people to move west to seek their fortunes. The western lands were seen to be useful for ranching and farming. These were some reason for the settlers to move in the West.
