William James "Will" West 1875-1936

WEST, TAYLOR, LANDMESSER, BIXBY, IRWIN, EHRIE, LEO

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/5/2011 at 20:18:22

Well Known Farmer Dies
William West Called Following Severe Heart Attack Two Weeks Ago
Funeral rites were held yesterday morning at 9:30 at the St. Patrick Catholic church for William West, prominent Emmet county farmer, who died Friday [December 11, 1936] evening at 6:15 at his home after an illness of two weeks. The Rev. L. J. Savage officiated at the services at the church and at the cemetery.

Pall bearers were E. J. Maniece, Harry Peterson, George Kirchner, George Calhan, Alert Rasmussen and George Robb.

Mr. West suffered a heart attack on Saturday, Nov. 28, and had been in an unconscious condition most of the time since. He was born on the farm on which he died, Sept. 3, 1875. In 1901 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Taylor of Mankato, Minn., and after his father’s death he moved on the home place, which he purchased.

He is survived by his widow, two children, Arthur of Estherville and Mrs. Merle Landmesser of Superior, and three grandchildren. Also five brothers, Joe of Fort Dodge, Tom of Waterloo, Charles of Pontiac, Mich., Robert of Ceylon, Minn., and George of Estherville; and four sisters, Mrs. Archie Bixby and Mrs. Albert Irwin of Estherville, Mrs. Hazel Ehrie of Sacramento, Calif., and Mrs. Emil Leo of Venice, Calif.

Out of town relatives and friends present at the funeral were, Joe West of Fort Dodge, Tom West of Waterloo, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wes of Ceylon, Minn., and Mrs. Charles Taylor, Mrs. Clarence Taylor, Mrs. James McAffee and Miss Irene Taylor of Mankato, Minn. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 15, 1936)

William West, Pioneer of Emmet County, Died Very Suddenly
Death claimed William J. West, not only a pioneer of Emmet county but a lifelong resident of sixty-one years here, on last Friday evening.

Mr. West was born and reared on the farm on which he died. It has always been known as the old West homestead and is three miles east of Estherville on highway No. 9.

Mr. West, during recent years, has been interested in politics and held the office of supervisor from 1919 to 1924. He was a very active worker in the Farm Union and the head of the Gruver organization. At the present time he was to be a trustee of Center township.

We have been personally acquainted with Mr. West since he was a boy. We have had many long visits with him and found him well posted on public matters and outspoken in his beliefs. He was a good farmer and always kept many fine cattle and other stock.

He is survived by his widow and two children, a son Arthur West and a daughter, Mrs. Merle Landmesser and five brother and four sisters.

The funeral services were held on Monday morning at eight o’clock, the Rev. L. J. Savage officiating. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery south of the city.

Mr. West has a host of friends who will miss his counsel and advice, and all extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 17, 1936)