John Henry West

WEST SEIGEL

Posted By: Patricia Strot (email)
Date: 12/2/2004 at 12:01:53

JOHN WEST PASS AWAY FRIDAY - FUNERAL SERVICE HELD MONDAY

John Henry West, one of the few real early pioneers left in this community, passed away at his home on Friday. The funeral services were held from the Donovan Funeral home on Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. H. Lease of the Methodist church. Interment was made in Lake View cemetery.
The following obituary was read:
John Henry West was born at Oswego, New York, October 11, 1856, and died at his home in Spirit Lake, November 10, 1933, aged 77 years and one month. He was the youngest of three children born in his father's farm home. In 1866 he came with his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and again moved with his parents to Dickinson county in 1869, which has been his home through the years of pioneering and building the country as we know it now.
He was married to Miss Ellen J. Crowell near Spirit Lake, September 10, 1882. For 51 years they have lived and toiled together. Three children came to bless their home, Charles A., of Spirit Lake; Mrs. Ethel May Becker, of Minneapolis, and Mrs. Lillian E. Grove of Spirit Lake.
They were married on a farm five miles of Spirit Lake. From there they went to Arnolds Park for five years where he engaged in boating and fishing. Then they moved to a farm 5 miles southeast of Spirit Lake for nine years and then moved to Spirit Lake where he did teaming until age made this impossible. They have lived for 18 years in their present home.
He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife and their three children and their families numbering 10 grandchildren, 9 nephews and nieces, and many friends and neighbors who will feel the loss of the passing of another old settler and pioneer.
Relatives coming for funeral were Mrs. Ethel M. Becker, two daughters, Leone and Dorothy, of Minneapolis; L. C. Tusler and wife, a nephew of Bigelow, Minn; a niece, Mrs. Pearl Tusley [sic], of Esterville; Ed. Tusler and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lutgent of Everly.
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This obituary was found in an old family bible. It obviously was clipped out of a Spirit Lake local paper but unfortunately the name of the paper is not included in the clipped copy.