WALTER WEST. Lapeer County has a fine representative of her native-born citizens in this gentleman, who, born within her borders and educated within her public-schools, is now one of the foremost among her farmers, and in his business ability is surpassed by none. He devotes himself to a general agricultural business and successfully conducts the fine and arable tract of two hundred and twenty acres owned by Daniel West, on which he lives, also the one hundred and ten acres on sections 28 and 33, Attica Township, which he himself owns. A successful stock-raiser he makes a specialty of registered Durham cattle, merino sheep, Yorkshire hogs and Clydesdale horses. For fifteen years he has been dealing in and raising blooded stock and has captured blue ribbons in many contests.

Upon the old homestead which he now operates, Mr. West was born October 31, 1850, and is the son of Daniel and Martha J. (Henderson) West. The mother died February 20, 1866, while the father still survives. As a lad our subject enjoyed the advantages of a common-school education and pursued his school course long enough to acquire a certificate to teach. He taught one term in Oxford district. No. 1 and although he was very youthful, being only twenty years of age, he was entirely successful as a teacher. His father's advanced age requiring his services at home, he gave up his work as a teacher and assumed charge of the farm.

The father moved to the village of Attica when Walter was twenty-two years of age and the young man with the assistance of three younger sisters, conducted the farm until the year of his marriage which took place August 8, 1876. His bride was Miss Ellen C. Payne, of Imlay City, who had been a teacher from the age of seventeen until her marriage. Mrs. West is the daughter of Richard and Rachel Payne, who lived in this township and were prominent people in its social and business life. Mr. Payne was a native of England, and at an early day emigrated to Canada; there Mrs. West was born in 1850 and when four months old was brought by her parents to Michigan.

Mr. West is a member of Attica Lodge, No. 295, A. F. & A. M. of which he was Worshipful Master when only twenty-five years of age. He is also a member of Lapeer Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M., and is identified with the Grange and the Patrons of Industry. In politics he is a Democrat of the most pronounced type and has very decided opinions on the tariff question. He has been honored by his party by appointment to several official positions, among them that of School Assessor. For six terms he has held the office of Treasurer of the South Attica Cemetery Association. A well-posted and well-read man, he keeps thoroughly abreast with the news of the day.

On another page of this volume the reader will find a view of the pleasant homestead, where Mr. West may usually be found engaged in the pursuit of his calling.

[GLT, pp. 779-80]