Hiram Delos WELCH

WELCH, GARTH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/29/2007 at 11:32:45

21 July 1850 - 11 April 1908

Webster City Freeman, 14 April 1908

Another Old Settler Gone
H.D. Welch Died Saturday at His Home in Cass Township-Lived There 40 Years

H. D. Welch, who died at his home in Cass township Saturday afternoon, was among the oldest and best known farmers of the township. He came here in 1868 and located on the farm where he died. He was sick only a week, having been attacked with pneumonia the Sunday night before his death. He wife and seven children survive him. the children are: Leslie of Huron, South Dakota; Garth of Carthage South Dakota; Minnie, May, Seth, Lawrence and Gertrude, who live at the family home in Cass. Deceased was one of the good, substantial citizens of the county, an upright man, a kind husband and an indulgent father. the family will have the sympathy of all in their bereavement. The funeral will be held from the home this afternoon at two o'clock and from the Cass Center church at 3:30.

Webster City Tribune, 17 April 1908
Hiram Delos Welch was born at Wakeman, Ohio, July 21, 1850. He moved to Wright county in the spring of 1868, where he was married to Miss Rachel Garth, April 30, 1873, and settled nine miles northeast of Webster City, where they have since resided. To this union were born ten children - five boys and five girls. three of them died in infancy and the other seven still survive. There are also two grand children. The seven children living are Leslie R. of Huron, S. D.; Garth of Sioux Falls, S. D.; Minnie, May, Beth, Lawrence and Gertrude, who still reside with their mother at the home place. There are three brothers - D. C. Welch of Jewell, H. B. Welch at Webster City, and H. H. Welch of Carthage, S. D. On the 11th of April at 2:30 p.m. the hand of death knocked at the door and the angel of the Lord saw fit to call him very graciously to his long-cherished, eternal home.

He leaves a wife, seven children and three brothers, all of whom are present to mourn the death of their well-beloved husband, father and brother. Our brother had spent fifty-seven years, eight months and twenty days in this world when our Father said it is enough, come up higher. Early in life under the careful Christian training of a godly mother, he gave his hear to the Lord. So early in his life was it that he often testified that he never knew what it was not to love God and to be at peace with him. During his youth, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was a loved and faithful member at the time of his departure. When the Waterman class was organized as a part of the Woolstock circuit, he was chosen its class leader while yet only a young man. He served as class leader at this point until the class was disbanded, since which time he has been one of the class leaders at Woolstock. He served the church of his choice in all her different offices and was always and ever faithful to his charge. As as neighbor and friend, he was above reproach and only eternity will reveal the number he helped by his life and words to find the better way. But in the family circle more than any where else has he lived his profession. His sons and daughters are today on the road to the Glory world because father was so true a Christian. In their hearts they will ever cherish the admonition and words of council given to them around the family alter. where ever they may be in this world they will never get away from his prayers that ascended morning after morning to a throne of grace in their behalf. Of Brother Welch it may be said as it was of Barnabas, "He was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." He was never more happy than when in attendance upon divine service. He could truly say with the Psalmist, "I was glad when they said let us go up to the house of the Lord." Of our dear brother it can be said as of one of old, "Enoch walked with God and was set for God took him." Yes, the God he so dearly loved has taken him to himself. We shall miss him (Oh, how we shall miss him), but we shall meet him by and by for his was a faithful life and a most triumphant death. To the wife, loved and trusted companion for thirty-five years, to the sons and daughters, to the brothers and all other relatives and friends, we can only command the love and compassion of the blessed Savior whom you dear one so loved and adored.

The funeral services were held at the Cass Center church, Tuesday, April 14, conducted by Rev. M. J. McCabe, pastor of the M. E. church at Woolstock, and the Woolstock M. E choir sang some appropriate hymns. A large number of relatives and friends attended the services, filling the church to its capacity. Many beautiful floral tributes adorned the casket. Interment was made at the Cass Center cemetery.

Servant of God well done!
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter they Master's joy.

"Soldier of Christ well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy savior's joy."