Georgianna Kelch 1836-1924

KELCH, PIER, CONKLIN, RUMMELLS

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/21/2018 at 09:51:34

25 September 1924 - West Branch Times

Georgianna Pier Kelch was born at Madison, N.J., Feb. 21, 1836. She received her education in the schools of her native town. On March 27, 1854, she was united in marriage with George Kelch. To them were born seven children--Mrs. B. A. Conklin of West Liberty, Mrs. Henry Rummells of West Branch, Albert of Aurora, Ill., Frank of Centerdale, and John of West Branch; George W. and Anna Marie, Deceased.

The first years of their married life were spent in New Jersey. In 1865 they came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Cedar county, west of Centerdale. Here they endured many hardships incident to pioneer life.

The subject of our sketch was ever ready to lend a helping hand. Many and lasting were the friendships formed during the thirty-seven years of her life on the farm.

In 1902 they retired from active life, acquiring a home on East Third street, West Liberty, Iowa, which they occupied for twenty-one years. Mr. Kelch passed away April 27, 1923. One month previous to his death they had celebrated the sixty-ninth anniversary of their marriage.

The last year of Mrs. Kelch's life was spent in the home of her daughter Mrs. B. A. Conklin. Always cheerful and uncomplaining, she has been as happy as the infirmities of age and loss of her companion would permit. Her last illness, which was of two weeks' duration, was cheered by the presence of her children, and many were the tokens of friendship and esteem received by her.

Realizing that life's sun was low in the west, she calmly approached the close of a good and useful life, ready and willing to go, thus she fell asleep at 5 p.m. of Sept. 18, 1924, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. A. Conklin, on East Third St., West Liberty, Iowa, aged 88 years, 6 months and 28 days.

In addition to the five children named, Mrs.Kelch is survived by 14 grandchildren, 25 greatgrandchildren, 2 greatgreatgrandchildren; also a number of nieces and nephews. Grandma Kelch will be long and lovingly remember.

Funeral services were held from the home at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Rev. L. F. Davis, pastor of the local Christian church officiating. Interment at the Downey cemetery.

Singers, male quartet--Archie Ditmars, Harry Lewis, Allen Hemingway and Ed Creese. Pallbearers were grandchildren and greatgrandchildren--Will, Bert and George Rummells, Roy Kelch, Lawrence Rummells and Clell Kelch.