EARLY SETTLER DIES AT 86 YEARS

Herman lost one of its oldest, if not oldest settlers in the death of J. A. West on Wednesday of last week. He had been in failing health for some time, and five weeks ago he was taken to the Clarkson Hospital in Omaha for treatment, but he failed to rally, and finally death pulled the blinds and ended the life of this old time resident.

Deceased came with his parents in a covered wagon from Indiana in 1871 when he was thirteen years of age. The group who travelled together landed in Omaha, crossing the river in a ferry boat. Here they separated and the West family journeyed on to Burt County adjoining Herman where they settled and since that time that vicinity has been his home.

As a boy he attended the Homestead School in Burt county, and on July 3, 1933 he was married to Elender Baker of Tekamah. For a time they farmed and then moved to Herman where he has been engaged in various businesses since that time.

Those best acquainted with Fonnie West, as he was known, have a high regard for him as a man. His word was always considered good, and like most old timers he was a man of set ideals. He was a good friend and never missed an opportunity to assist a friend.

Funeral services were held last Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from the Herman Methodist church, in charge of Rev. A. W. Clarke of Arlington. Music was furnished by Mrs. S. R. Lowe, Mrs. James Presba, Fred Robertson and Clare V. Johnson with Mrs. H. C. Hanson at the piano, and interment was made in the Herman cemetery. Thus passes Herman’s early settler, and another memory of that early past when the country was in its first period of settlement.

#2 Printed in the February 10, 1944 Pilot-Tribune

J.A. WEST DEAD AT 86

WELL-KNOWN HERMAN MAN HAD COME HERE VIA COVERED WAGON

James Alfonzo "Fonnie" West, who had come to Washington county via covered wagon caravan in 1871, died Wednesday at the age of 86. His death occurred at Clarkson hospital, where he had been a patient for the past five weeks.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, 2:30 pm, at the Herman Methodist Church, with the Rev. A.W. Clarke of Arlington in charge. Music will be furnished by Mrs. S.R. Lowe, Mrs. James Presba, Fred Robertson and Clare V. Johnson, with Mrs. H.C. Hanson providing piano accompaniment. Burial will be in Herman cemetery.

Pallbearers, grandsons of the deceased man, will be Malvern West, Jack Leach, Monte West, Richard Adams, James Drayer, and James West.

At the age of 13, Mr. West with his parents and brothers and sisters came to Nebraska. They left Indiana in the spring of 1871, making the journey in a caravan of three covered wagons. The family arrived in Omaha, May 15, 1871, crossing the Missouri river on a ferry boat at the foot of what is now Douglas street. From there they drove to Blair, at that time a village only two years old, marking the terminal of the Northwestern railroad. The Wests continued on up the river to the southeast corner of Burt county, and settled near the present Homestead school site. Mr. West attended Homestead school, then a log cabin with benches of cottonwood slabs, for four years.

On July 3, 1883, he was married to Miss Ellender Baker of Tekamah. Following three years of farming, the couple moved to Herman to make their permanent residence, Mr. West engaging in the hotel, restaurant and grocery business. Mrs. West died April 21, 1942; one son, Elmon, died in September, 1934.

Mr. West himself was the last survivor of a family of nine, was the father of 12 children, 11 of whom survive. They are Jesse M. of Los Angeles; Everett West of Oakland, Calif.; Mrs. Harry Leach of Herman; Mrs. Gail Drayer of Lincoln; Ben West of Omaha; Fern and Jennings West of Herman; Mrs. Perry Rose, Glen West and Mrs. Kyle Jensen of Omaha; Mrs. Eilender Adams of Tekamah. Also surviving are 30 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

The Wests celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 3, 1934, when approximately 100 relatives and friends gathered at the Legion Hall in Herman to pay them tribute. With the exception of J.C. Bailey of Herman, Mr. West was the oldest settler in the Herman vicinity.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #58168179