William Freeman Welker (1856-1920)

MACDONALD, PHIPPS, WELKER

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:52

June 30, 1856 --- January 18, 1920

The sad news received from the Ashland Daily Press of Jan 24th covering the obituary, of Wm. Welker, who passed away at Ashland Jan.18. It will be remembered Mr. Welker lived at Eagle Grove from l890 to 1900 going to Cedar Rapids and returning in 1905.

Mr. Welker built at Eagle on north Lincoln, then prairie and later moving across the street from Mr. John Paine's place, formerly the Boughton home.

They have always considered Eagle their home town, and he leaves a great many close friends here.

They have been subscribers to the T. G. ever since 1890, in the days of the old Boone Valley Gazette.

It will also be remembered that Miss Lucile Welker taught in our schools, and. Miss Grace Welker worked for the Electric Light Co.

Also Donald F. Welker remained at Eagle Grove until 1908, finishing High School here.

William Freeman Welker was born at Belleville, Ohio, June 30th, 1856 and died at Ashland, Wisconsin on Sunday morning, January 18th, 1920. With his war widowed mother he came to western Iowa in 1872 and located on the family homestead. He was married at Cherokee, Iowa, August 14th, 1877 to Agnes A. Macdonald and to this union were born eight children, Jean A. Welker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grace M. Welker, Belle Plaine, Iowa, Howard H. Welker, Fond du Lac, Wis., Georgia L. Welker, Los Angeles Cal., Lucile M. Welker, Donald F. Welker, Willis S. Welker, and Lawrence M. Welker, of Ashland, who with his wife, Agnes and brother Frank Welker and sister Mrs. Frank Phipps survive him.

In February 1880 he begin railroading at Fort Dodge, Iowa, on the Illinois Central in the train service and after running passenger for several years, left the Illinois Central and started with the Chicago & North Western Railway, as Yard Master at Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was changed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1900 as General Yard Master where he lived until 1905 when he transferred to Eagle Grove, Iowa as Trainmaster of the Northern Iowa Division. In 1906 he was Trainmaster of the Iowa and Minnesota division at Belle Plaine, Iowa, going in 1907 to Clinton, Iowa, as Trainmaster of the Iowa Division. He moved to Ashland in June 1907 and was Assistant Superintendent of the Ashland Division until May 15th of 1914 he received serious injuries at Saxon, Wis. where he was superintending gravel train work. This practically ended his railroad career as he worked only six months after this accident as Division Inspector at Belle Plaine, Iowa. After suffering six years as a result of his accident at Saxon, Wis. he passed away at Ashland where he had made his home since 1907.

He was a member of the Masonic fraternity also a charter member of the Order of Railroad Conductors.

The funeral services were held at the home, Wednesday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. Carlton L. Coons of the First Presbyterian Church. Pall bearers being old time railroad and business associates and the remains were placed in Highland cemetery.

Eagle Grove Times Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
February 04, 1920