Welle, Peter 1875-1916

WELLE, LIVINGSTON, BISHOP, COMPTON, FORKER, MURPHY, TAYLOR

Posted By: Barb Hoover (email)
Date: 7/30/2006 at 16:50:41

(1916) Newton (IA) Daily News? Newspaper, which one is uncertain.

Sad Death of Pete Welle
Casts a Shadow of Sorrow Over His Entire Home Community

News of the death of Mr. Peter Welle, when it reached Newton last Thursday evening, was a sad surprise and a profound shock to his friends here, and especially throughout the community where he had so long lived and where everybody knew and loved Pete Welle.

Mr. Welle had been taken ill very suddenly on the Sunday morning before, and a bout noon a physician was called who diagnosed his trouble as appendicitis. He was brought to Newton and on the 2 o’clock train, Monday morning, was taken to the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, where it was decided that an immediate operation was necessary. He seemed to rally very satisfactorily and he and his friends had every reason to hope that the danger line had been safely passed and that his recovery would soon follow. But on Wednesday a change for the worse became manifest. His condition soon became alarming. His faithful wife, who had been with him through all the trying ordeal, was almost overcome with grief when informed that her loved one was rapidly nearing death. Mr. Welle’s aged parents, with the little daughter, and a number of other kindred were summoned and arrived in time to talk with the loved one, and each receiving a loving message before his eyes closed in the long sleep.

His death occurred about 6 o’clock Thursday evening, April 20th. On Friday morning, the body, accompanied by his sorrowing loved ones, was brought to Newton, and conveyed to his beautiful farm home about 8 miles southeast of Newton, which but a few short days before had been the scene of his active, hopeful young manhood, with every promise of many years of happy, prosperous life.

Peter Cornelius Welle was born near Pella September 13, 1875, and at the time of his death, his age was 40 years, 7 months and 7 days. He was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. John Welle, his death being the first link taken from the happy family circle of ten children. On the 6th of March, 1907, eh was happily married to Miss Gertrude M. Livingston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira N. Livingston. To them was born one daughter, Ardell, now two years of age. The brothers and sisters who survive are: Jacob of Webb, Iowa; Mrs. Clarence Bishop of Scott, Canada; Herman, Isaac, David, Fred, Mrs. Frank Gifford, Mrs. Chas. Bishop and Miss Emma Welle, all living in this county. To them, the aged parents, wife and little daughter are extended the tenderest sympathy of their hundreds of friends.

Mr. Welle was converted in early manhood, has been a faithful and consistent Christian, and for many years a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal church, deeply interested in all branches of Christian work. He was an ideal man and citizen and no man stood higher in the confidence and esteem of everybody in the community than Pete Welle. He was genial and companionable, easily forming friendships, which he always retained.

Funeral services were held in Mt. Zion M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, conducted by his pastor Rev. W. J. Fowler, who was a very intimate personal friend of Mr. Welle. The attendance was the largest of any funeral occasion in the history of the community, many friends being present from Newton, Pella, Monroe, Sully and Kilduff. The abundance of beautiful flowers proved in a measure the loving esteem in which he was held by hundreds of friends. Beautiful and appropriate music was rendered by the church choir, and the pastor’s sermon was a comfort to the sorrowing friends, and a worthy tribute to the life and characters of Mr. Welle. The pallbearers were: Messrs. Walter Bishop, Bert and Ed Compton, Frank Forker, Bower Murphy and Clarence Taylor. Interment was in Mt. Zion Cemetery near the church.