Montour-Susquehanna County PA Archives Biographies.....WEST, William K. 1860 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com Author: Biographical Publishing Company WILLIAM KASE WEST, whose portrait we present on the preceding page, has won distinction in the legal profession and is one of the leading attorneys of Danville, Montour County, Pa. He was born in Danville March 8, 1860, and is a son of George Wileston West, and grandson of William West. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was Thomas West, who was of English-German descent and was born in Schoharie County, N. Y. He built a log house near his father's homestead and there engaged in tilling the soil for many years. Upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he left a happy home and family to battle for independence. He had the misfortune to be taken prisoner by the English forces, but after a short term of imprisonment effected his escape and organized a company, of which he was captain, and rendered valuable aid to the American cause. In 1808, or soon after, he and his children removed to Ararat, Susquehanna County, Pa., where he took up land and lived the remainder of his life. He died at the age of sixty years, and his wife attained the advanced age of eighty years. The following issue resulted from their union: Thomas; Hannah; Jones; Benjamin; William; Nathaniel; Permelia; and Eunice. William West, grandfather of our subject, was born near Schenectady, Schoharie County, N. Y., and learned the trade of a blacksmith. After moving to Susquehanna County with his parents he cleared a farm and engaged in farming. He later settled at Masonville Delaware County, N. Y., where he continued at his trade as blacksmith until his death at the age of seventy-five years. He married Eliza Rogers, a daughter of Hobert Rogers, who was for many years -a sea captain, but, tiring of that life and wishing to establish an inland home, bought a farm in Delaware County, N. Y.; he became an agriculturist, but later built a large boat and with his family sailed down the river to Chesapeake Bay where he lived the remainder of his life. Mr. West and his wife became the parents of the following children: George Wileston and Hobert Rogers. Mrs. Eliza Rogers West died at the early age of twenty-seven years, and William West was united in marriage to Hannah Demenshaw, and they reared three children, Milo, Philo, and Jabez. George Wileston West the father of our subject, began life on his own account at the age of thirteen years with a farmer of Mount Ararat, Pa., and by the practice of strict economy saved enough from his scanty wages to enable him to attend school at the age of nineteen years, entering Birch Academy. He remained there for one term after which he took a course in the Wyoming Academy, being one of the first students of that institution, and there studied surveying. He then taught school for six terms in what was then Columbia County, now Montour. In 1845 he was appointed county surveyor and each successive year since he has been elected to that office. He is considered as an authority on lines and boundaries in this section of the state, his work not being confined to Montour County, as he is often called to different counties in Northern and Central Pennsylvania. He also served for twenty-four years as county commissioner's clerk. He is now past eighty years of age, walks straight as an arrow, and, being large of stature, is of commanding appearance. Mr. West is a prominent figure throughout his section and is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. He owns a fine modern home at No. 212 Pine street where he has resided for a number of years and enjoys the best of health. In 1854 he was united in matrimonial bonds with Catherine A. Kase a daughter of John Kase of Elysburg, Pa., and they reared eight children, namely: Charles W., a carpenter and painter of Danville; Eleanore Eliza, the wife of Oliver Diehl of Marionville, Pa.; William Kase, the subject of this review; George M., the manager of the gas and electric light plant of Danville; Louise M., who is at home with her parents; Isaac Dewitt, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this book; and Catherine, who died in childhood. William Kase West obtained his education in the public schools of Danville and at the Bloomsburg State Normal School, after which he assisted his father in surveying for some time, devoting his spare moments to study and the completion of his education. He then engaged in surveying in the West for two years, and upon returning home read law with Grier & Hinckley, being admitted to the bar in 1886. He has since practiced in Danville, and has been successful, as the large number of cases won testify. He has a very large clientage and is very popular. Few men of his age hold so prominent a position in the public estimation, and from present indications it is safe to predict a brilliant future for him and class him among the leading men of the county. From 1887 to 1892 he served as district attorney and proved that he was the right man in the right place. In 1891 Mr. West was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Ella Patterson, a daughter of John C. Patterson of Danville, and they are the proud parents of three children, as follows: John Patterson, who was born March 16, 1892; Mary Louise, born October 12, 1893; and William K., whose birth occurred October 16, 1895. Our subject is a member and past master of Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M.; past high priest of Danville Chapter, No. 239, H. R. A.; eminent commander Calvary Commandery, No. 37, K. T.; and an officer in Bloomsburg Lodge No. 436, B. P. O. E. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)