Question

Identify settlement patterns in the american west

Answer 1

Back then most people in the US were small farmers. They went west for free/ cheap farm land, because it was expensive or already taken in the East. They also went West for new opportunity in new lands that needed businesses/ trade, and if desperate enough, to prospect for gold. 
People settled where the farm land was good, and near railroad lines (because they needed supplies/ trade). 
Once the good farm land in Kansas/ Nebraska was taken, they looked south and further west, where the farm land wasn't so good, but there was lots of room for herding cattle (as in Texas). California on the far side of the deserts and mountains was a big draw because it had some good farm land, some grazing room, harbors and trade by sea, and gold. The Dakotas/ Wyoming Montana were settled for farming and herding but late because of the cold climate. Next was Washington/ Oregon, which had jobs/ trade/ business in virgin timber, sea ports, and a little farm/ grazing land. 
The last places of course were the deserts and high mountains as there's nothing there or harsh climate not good for farming/ herding/ railroads/timber.