From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 835-836
 
ERNEST A. WEST.  Not all men order their lives to their liking; nor yet are 
all men true to themselves in living as near to their ideals as possible and 
attaining to such heights as their opportunities and talents render accessible.  
We now turn to one who has done well what he undertook all along the highway 
of life, wherein all honor lies.  Not a pretentious nor exalted life has been 
his, but one that has been true to itself and its possibilities, and one to 
which we may revert with respect.
 
Ernest A. WEST, farmer of Darien township, was born in Lafayette township, 
Walworth county, on September 21, 1859.  He is the son of Jesse Pike and 
Elizabeth Ann (NORTHROP) WEST, both natives of the state of New York, where 
they spent their early years, the father coming west when a young man and 
settling in Lafayette township, this county, in 1838.  He was among the 
earliest pioneers here, and found a wild and undeveloped country, but he saw a 
great future in Walworth county and set to work with a will to upbuild his own 
interests and those of the community.  He took up one hundred and sixty acres 
of land from the government, which he later sold, and took up one hundred and 
sixty acres more - in fact he repeated this plan several times, securing fresh 
land, making some improvements and then selling the same to newcomers.  He 
finally bought up the first claim and there spent the rest of his life, being 
very successful as a farmer.  His death occurred in 1868, his widow surviving 
a half century, dying at an advanced age in 1908.  He had twice been married, 
first to Lydia SKINNER, to which union one son was born, William, now 
deceased.  Seven children were born of the second union, namely: Allen and 
Laverne both died young; Ernest A., of this sketch; Clara B., who married 
Alfred SMITH, is now deceased; Hattie died when nine years old; Mrs. Sarah J. 
married Arthur MILLIS, of Whitewater, and she is now deceased; A. Pike lives 
in Milwaukee, where he is assistant custodian of the federal building.
 
Ernest A. WEST was united in marriage with Edna F. FOSTER, on November 25, 
1880.  She was the daughter of Jay and Marcia (LEACH) FOSTER, a highly 
respected family of this county.
 
Mr. WEST has devoted his life to farming and he has been very successful.  He 
is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Darien 
township, also eighty acres in Taylor county, Wisconsin, and one hundred and 
sixty acres in Lyman county, South Dakota.  He keeps his land well improved 
and raises a good grade of live stock.  He has a pleasant home and good 
outbuildings on his home place.
 
Ten children have been born to Mr. WEST and wife, named as follows: Jay P. is 
a veterinary surgeon of Madison, this state; Clinton H. lives at Williams Bay, 
this county; Arthur J. lives in Colorado; William died when eight years old; 
Roscoe E. is at home; Milo died when three years old; Roy F., who also lives 
at home, is clerking in a store in Darien; Edna May died in infancy; Lynn and 
Lyle W., twins, are at home with their parents.  Mr. WEST graduated from the 
Elkhorn high school in the class of '78.
 
Mr. WEST is a member of the Congregational church.  He belongs to the Masonic 
order at Darien, having transferred here from Elkhorn, where he first 
belonged.  He is an independent voter.
 
Submitted by Carol