Welsh, Martin 1831-1907

WELSH, CAREY, JENKINS, CONN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/23/2005 at 12:54:15

Martin Welsh died last evening at half past six at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Conn, on South Race Street. Three years ago he fell and broke his collarbone and suffered other injuries from which he never quite fully recovered. The last time he was down town was Election Day last November, when he cast his vote for democratic officers, having been a strong supporter of that political party.

For the past three months he has been confined to his room and bed most of the time with a complication of diseases, but was conscious to the last. During all his illness he has taken a great interest in outside affairs and those of his family and friends.

Martin Welsh was born in Ireland, Nov. 9th, 1831. He came to America with his mother, his father having died when he was a babe, when he was eight years of age, and they settled first in Quebec. Later they moved to Michigan and at Ontonagon that State, he was married to Miss Anna Carey, Feb. 11, 1855. The next year after their marriage, in 1856, they came to Newton, Iowa, and soon bought a farm two miles and a half south of town, where they lived until they came to this city in 1890, to make their home.

Mr. Welsh was one of eight children and is the last one to answer death’s summons. His wife died in 1891 soon after they came to town to live. He was the father of eleven children, seven of whom are living, Mrs. J. W. Jenkins, Thomas F. and John Welsh of Des Moines and Mrs. A. T. Carey, Mrs. Robt. Conn, Daniel J. and Chares F. of this city.

Since coming to town Mr. Welsh has made his home with his daughters, Mrs. A. T. Carey and Mrs. Robert Conn, where he spent his last several months, cared for by all his children, everything being done to make him comfortable and his last days happy.

Mr. Welsh was a man who knew what responsibility and hard word was, practically doing for himself since coming to America, when only 8 years old. He was a man fond of reading and was a kind neighbor and a faithful father and friend. Those who knew him well admired him and his familiar figure will be missed by all his relatives and friends, with whom he has so long been associated.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow from the Sacred Heart Church at 10 o’clock. ~ The Newton Daily News, Thursday, February 28, 1907, Page 1, Column 3