The name of Walter A. West is known to every one who has the slightest acquaintance with the business history of Elkhorn and Walworth county. For many years he has filled a large place in the industrial affairs of the city, and as an energetic, far-seeing, enterprising man whose judgment and discretion are seldom at fault and whose influence makes for the substantial upbuilding of the community.
Mr. West was born in Sugar Creek township, this county, on November 14, 1856. He is the son of Stephen Gano West and Martha A. (Lake) West, the father a native of North Norwich, Chenango county, .New York.
He came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, when about twelve years old. In 1838, with his parents, Stephen Gano West, Sr. and Rebecca (Pike) West, and here in the midst of primeval surroundings they established a good home through hard work and close application, the country then being a wilderness. The West family came to New York state from Connecticut a number of generations ago.
Martha A. Lake was born at Cooperstown, New York, and during his childhood lived a near neighbor to James Fenimore Cooper, the great novelist. She was the daughter of Nelson and ( Brandon) Lake, her maternal grandmother having been a Knowlton, a daughter of Capt. John Knowlton, a soldier in the American Revolution. The Lake family came west and lived for a time in Illinois, and about 1850 moved on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, settling in the village of Troy, on what is now known as the Schwartz farm on Pickerill lake, later moving to Eagle Prairie, Waukesha county. Stephen G. West. Jr., and Martha A. Lake were married in 1852 and I up their residence in Sugar Creek township, moving in the spring of 1866 to Elkhorn, buying a farm in the north edge of town where they spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on the last day of October, 1889, his wife having preceded him to the grave in July, 1884. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he tilled the office of assessor for years, was a member of the school board, and was also chairman of Sugar Creek township. He took a lively interest in public affairs and was influential in the same.
Stephen G. West, Jr., was twice married, his second wife, whom he married in the fall of 1886, being known in her maidenhood as Hanna Merrifield, who is now living at Beloit. One son was born to the second union, Myron Chester West. By the first marriage there were eight children, namely: DeWitt Clinton, who died at Perry, Iowa: Walter A., of this sketch: Helen R. is the wife of B. B. Taylor and lives on a farm near Elkhorn; Charles F. lives at Oak Park, Illinois: Stephen Gano is a physician and surgeon in Chicago: Arthur Penn died when fourteen years old; Hattie is the wife of Albert J. Reed, a furniture dealer in Elkhorn; Cora died when ten years old.
Walter A. West, of this sketch, grew up on the farm at Elkhorn, and he received his education in the public schools and the State University. Finishing school in 1880, he was married on March r6th of that year to Lama R hitch, .laughter of Zadock Martin Fitch and Julia 1 Barns) Fitch She was born and reared, at Elkhorn. Her parent- came from Brockton, New York, and located at Elkhorn about 1850. The father of Mrs. West conducted a draying (the transport of goods, using a dray: a low, heavy cart or wagon) business for many years at Elkhorn.
For three years after his marriage Walter A. West engaged in farming in the north part of Elkhorn. On March 13, 1884, he went into the butter and cheese business, starting first as a partner of J. H. Harris. Then business grew rapidly and prospered and developed into the Wisconsin Butter & Cheese Company, of which Mr. West is vice-president, and its large business has been due in no small part to his influence.
From 1890 to 1804, Mr. West was state dairy commissioner. In local affairs he has been a member of the school board and he is also an alderman. He is a loyal Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree, and he belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the .Mystic Shrine. He is past grand high priest of the grand chapter of Wisconsin. He was grand high priest in 1910, and has long been active and popular in lodge circles. In religious matters he belongs to the Congregational church, of which Mrs. West is also a member.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. West, namely : Maurice Edgar married Amanda Winters and lives at Fond du Lac. Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the creamery business; Julia lives at home: DeWitt C. is a student in the State University; Walter A., Jr., lives at home and is attending high school.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin