James Welsh 1856-1933

WELSH, FERGUSON, SKOW, ELLERSTON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/5/2011 at 22:38:34

Obituary of James Welsh
James Welsh was born in Brechin, Scotland, April 28, 1856 [cemetery records say 1855]. As a young man he was associated with an older brother in the seed business at Coldstream, Scotland. While in the seed business he and an older brother made a visit o America, going as far west as Nevada. After spending several years in the west they returned to Scotland. Here he married Miss Helen H. Ferguson, and shortly afterwards sailed for the United States.

Mr. Welsh purchased a farm in Emmet County, settling there with many other Scotch pioneers. After years of hardships and struggle, Mr. and Mrs. Welsh made their home and raised a family of seven children on the farm in Jack Creek township. He was active in all enterprises for the betterment of his community. He was one of the first to organize the telephone line, one of the first members of the Emmet County Farm Bureau. He was president of the School Board, director and trustee for a period of twenty ears and held the office of township clerk for about seventeen years. He was a great sheep man. He was the first to raise Shopshire Sheep and Poland China hogs. He won prizes in the International Stock Show in Chicago when he entered and also many prizes at the county fairs.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Armstrong.

On account of his health he has been spending winters for several years at San Diego, California. He suffered from rheumatism and heart trouble and it was from an attack of the latter that caused his death January 20, 1933. Charles Terwilliger, of San Diego, accompanied the remains to Estherville.

Surviving are Mrs. Welsh, and children, Helen, at home, Isabella Skow of Lamberton, Minn.; Eliza, deputy county treasurer; Jane Ellerston, who lives on a farm near home, James, John and Annie, all at home, and one grandson, James C. Ellerston.

Funeral services were held at the home Thursday afternoon at 1:30 with Rev. Curtis Page, Presbyterian pastor of Gruver, in charge and the Masonic Lodge of Armstrong conducted the rites at the grave.

Pallbearers were M. K. Whelan, Ole Hansen, F. M. Brown, Sam. Bammer, Tom Nivison, and Charles Terwilliger.

A trio, composed of Messrs. Holm, Madsen and Christensen, of Ringsted, sang, “Abide with Me,” and “We Are Going Down the Valley One by One,” accompanied by Miss Madsen at the pianos.

Interment was made in Oak Hill Cemetery in Estherville. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 1, 1933)

Vindicator and Republican adds: James Welsh, one of the pioneer settlers of Jack Creek township died Friday morning at San Diego, Calif., of heart disease. Mr. Welsh had spent winters on the coast for the past few years. His death was caused from heart disease from which he had suffered for about 12 years. Word had been received by Mr. Welsh’s wife and family of his illness earlier in the week and his sons James and John left at once in an attempt to make train connections at Sibley. The sleet storm forced them to return home and a message awaited them there that Mr. Welsh was considerably improved. Further word was received of his continued improvement and that they need not come. The change for the worse came suddenly. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 24, 1933)