William H. West
William H. West was born August 26, 1866, near Decatur, Ohio, son of George H. and Abigail (Pointer) West. Samuel West, his grandfather, was a native of Bracken County, Kentucky. He married Nancy J. Story, and they removed to Adams County in the forties. They reared a family of seven children. George H., the eldest son, was the father of our subject. He was married August 26, 1865, to Abigail Pointer, daughter of James and Susan Pointer, nee Armstrong, of the eastern shore of Maryland.
George H. West was a member of the 182d O. V. I., in the Civil War. The Pointer family and the Armstrong family emigrated together to Ohio in 1801. Both families settled in the river bottoms below Manchester.
Our subject spent his boyhood in Bentonville and received such education as the Bentonville schools afforded. He attended the Ohio Wesleyan University in the years 1888 and 1889. He also attended Normal schools at North Liberty, West Union and Bentonville. He has been engaged in teaching for several years. He has always been a Democrat, taking an active part in politics. He was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in 1889, and has served on the Election Board of the county for several years, and on the Central Committee of his party. He was nominated in August, 1899, by the Democratic party of his county for Surveyor.
He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bentonville on November 17, 1887, and was licensed by the Quarterly Conference as a local preacher in June, 1896. He is a graduate in the "Legion of Honor." He is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 1 14, West Union Knights of Pythias; a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, No. 132, of Bentonville, and a member of West Union Camp, No. 547, Modern Woodmen of America.
He was married August 27, 1890, to Hattie B. Mefford, daughter of Joseph N. and Minerva (Woodruff) Mefford, of Bentonville. Their children are Nellie P., Talma, Bessie M., and Opal M.
Mr. West is always foremost in local politics and educational affairs, and is respected by all for his high standards in morals and religion.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900