From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, Vol. 1, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 724 - 726
 
WALTER A. WEST.  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 has 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 her childhood 
lived a near neighbor to James Fennimore 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 Revaluation.  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 took 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 filled 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 16th of that year to Laura R. FITCH, daughter 
of Zadock Martin FITCH and Julia (BARNS) FITCH.  She was born and reared at 
Elkhorn.  Her parents came from Brockton, New York, and located at Elkhorn 
about 1850.  The father of Mrs. WEST conducted a draying 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.  Their 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.  This company is given special mention on another 
page of this work.
 
From 1890 to 1894 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 a 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 matter 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.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)