W. R. WELTY

W. R. Welty, one of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Fairfield township, whose home is on section 4, claims Ohio as his native state, his birth occurring in Ashland on the 30th of March, 1855, but he did not long remain there, for the following year he was brought to Cedar county, Iowa, by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Beech) Welty. The father was born December 11, 1819, on the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland and spent several years of his life in the Buckeye state. In 1856 he brought his family to Iowa and on reaching the Mississippi river found that there was no bridge, so they crossed on the ice at Davenport. They first located about five and a half miles south of Tipton in Cedar county, where they remained until our subject was twelve years of age and then removed three and a half miles southeast of the city.

Seven years later they took up their residence upon the farm now owned and operated by our subject, the father finally retiring, selling out to his sons, W. R. and G. F. Ten years later the former purchased his brother’s interest and is now engaged in farming alone. The father spent his last days in Tipton, dying there February 7, 1907. His wife, who was born in Germany, January 8, 1822, had departed this life while residing on the farm, December 26, 1877. She was only eleven years of age when she accompanied her parents on the emigration to America, the family locating in Ohio, where she resided until coming to Iowa. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Welty were: Margaret Ann, now the wife of A. A. Knott, of California; Mary Jane, the widow of Josiah Owen, a resident of Tipton; W. R., whose name introduces this sketch; Jacob Hudson, of Colorado, G. F, also a resident of that state; and Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of William Bader, of Loveland, Colorado.

Since 1875 W. R. Welty has resided upon his present farm and in its cultivation and improvement he has met with marked success. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, a quarter section of this having been previously owned by his father. The buildings standing upon the place are substantial and commodious and include a large fine residence, erected in 1900. Besides his home property he has another farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which there is also a good set of farm buildings. His time and energies have always been devoted to farming and stock-raising and he displays sound judgment in purchasing and selling stock. His careful management of his business affairs has brought him a measure of success that places him with the men of affluence in this part of the state.

Mr. Welty was married in 1879 to Martha Sipple, who died in 1880, and he was again married December 17, 1891, his second union being with Miss Lou S. Simpson, by whom he had four children, namely: Ada Roberta; Agnes Adelaide; Donald Owen; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Welty was born in Fairfield township, November 5, 1867, and is a daughter of William and Jane (Sisler) Simpson. Her mother now resides near Clarence, Iowa, but her father, who was born in County Down, Ireland, died in Tipton, this state, on the 1st of October, 1875, at the age of forty-two years. Mrs. Simpson is a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania, born March 15, 1847, and was in her infancy when brought by her parents to this state. During the gold excitement on the Pacific slope Mr. Simpson went to California, where he remained for a time, and during the Civil war he served as veterinary surgeon. His life, however, was mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits and he became the owner of two fine farms, one of two hundred and eighty acres and the other of eighty acres, which he was operating at the time of his death. In his family were six children, namely: David Louis, who is now with his mother; Lou S., the wife of our subject; William Henry, who died at the age of six months; Agnes Adelaide, who died at the age of seven years; William George, a resident of Dayton township; and Emma Jane, who died at the age of six months.

Mr. Welty keeps informed on the political questions and issues of the day and by his ballot usually supports the democratic party at national elections, but in local politics is independent, voting for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill office regardless of party ties. He has been called upon to serve as township trustee and as president of the school board, serving in the latter position for a number of years. He and his family are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Clarence, and his upright, honorable life has gained him a host of warm friends, who appreciate his sterling worth.