Welch, John W. -- 1870 - 1939

WELCH, STROUD, BABCOCK, ANTRIM, DARRINGTON, WELLS

Posted By: Barry M. Dahl (email)
Date: 11/10/2010 at 15:41:12

The Obituary for John W. Welch: From the Mabel Record of July 14, 1939.

John Welch of Hesper, Iowa, passed away at his home there early Tuesday morning. He had been a patient sufferer from heart trouble for many months but death came suddenly as he was preparing to leave his home in company with Amos Moore. He was planning a visit at the Moore home and a call on Dr. Lannin at Mabel that day.

He has been a life-long resident of the Hesper vicinity, and was born on the Moore farm, formerly the old Welch homestead. He was one of large family and had only two weeks ago lost his older brother, Dave.

John W. Welch, son of David and Margaret Welch, was the youngest child in a family of eight children. He was born and reared on the Welch homestead, near Hesper, now owned and occupied by his niece, Mrs. Amos Moore, and her husband.

Mr. Welch was born August 12th, 1870, having attained the age of 68 years, 10 months and 29 days. Surviving his are his eldest sister Mrs. Jane Stroud of Mabel; and his youngest sister, Mrs. Fannie Babcock of Elliot, North Dakota. Preceding him in death were his parents; his sisters, Mrs. L.J. Antrim, Mrs. John Darrington and Mrs. George Wells, and his brothers, William R. and David James.

John Welch was not widely, but well known. He spent his entire life, the earlier part of which was devoted to farming, in this community. He thoroughly enjoyed the common things of life; he was a lover of music especially the kind of music that appeals to one's finer nature. Temperate in all his action, his entire life and character typified the kind of personality that must have inspired the poet Foss, when he wrote that beautiful poem, "Let Me Live In MY House By the Side of the Road and Be a Friend To Man."
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Amos Moore home, and 2 o'clock at the Friends church at Hesper with Rev. Hoskins officiating.