William Henry West was born in the town of Lime, Jefferson county, New York, October 26, 1843. He spent the most of his life in that state until he enlisted at 19 years of age in the Tenth New York artillery under Captain Kitz. He served three years in behalf of his country, after which time he returned to his home in Worth, N. Y., and was soon married to Miss Caroline Amelia Allard, also of that place. After a few years he and his family moved to Wisconsin where they remained until they came west. He arrived in Blaine in 1887, 21 years ago, when this city was in its infancy and here he has toiled faithfully for the city's interests and has been loved and respected by all. The past year he has failed rapidly in health and Wednesday morning, October 28th, he was taken from us to meet with children and loved ones above. While it pains us to part with out dear brother, yet we know that our loss is his eternal gain. Rev. Reely and Rev. Dexter conducted the funeral services at the Methodist church Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, after which the remains were interred in the Blaine cemetery. A wife and two children, A. N. West, now pastor of the Free Methodist church at Everett, and Mrs. Winnie Newcomb, are left behind to mourn. Our brother was an earnest and trusting Christian and his heart's thought and desire was to uplift the cause in which he so faithfully labored.
(From The Blaine Journal, October 28, 1908)
