Home > United States of America > Iowa > Dallas County > De Soto > Otterman Cemetery > John William Welch

John William Welch

Birth	:	14 Mar 1835 Putnam County, Indiana, USA
Death	:	30 Oct 1904 Van Meter, Dallas County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Otterman Cemetery, De Soto, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.5661011, -93.9835968
Description	:	John William Welch was born March 14, 1835 in Putnam County, Indiana, and died October 30, 1904, age 69 years 7 months and 16 days. He spent his young manhood near his birthplace and the spring of 1854 came to Illinois. In January 1860, he came to near Van Meter, Iowa and except during the War of the Rebellion, and a short residence in Illinois, he has spent the greater part of his life in this county. The deceased was married Dec 31, 1859 in Illinois to Leah H. Working. To them were born... Read More	John William Welch was born March 14, 1835 in Putnam County, Indiana, and died October 30, 1904, age 69 years 7 months and 16 days. He spent his young manhood near his birthplace and the spring of 1854 came to Illinois. In January 1860, he came to near Van Meter, Iowa and except during the War of the Rebellion, and a short residence in Illinois, he has spent the greater part of his life in this county. The deceased was married Dec 31, 1859 in Illinois to Leah H. Working. To them were born four children, one of which died in infancy. He leaves his wife who has walked by his side and shared his burdens for over 44 years, and 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren, 3 brothers, one sister and many kindred and friends to mourn. He was a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Co. C. 33rd, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. The deceased was a good citizen and was well respected in this community. At the time of his death he was filling the office of Justice of Peace and Township Clerk. He was a member of the fraternal orders of I. O. O. F. and GAR. He took an active interest in the affairs of the community, and in the 34 years residence here, his upright manner in business had gained the confidence of the people. May God bless kindred and neighbors and help us live on as to live forever in Heaven. ******* J. W. Welch is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Iowa and is one of the veterans of the late war who valiantly aided the Union when the South attempted secession. He was born in Indiana, March 14, 1835, and is a son of James Welch, a native of Tennessee, who in 1830 removed to Indiana, where he settled on a farm and married Sarah Smith, a native of Kentucky. In 1856 he sold his property in the Hoosier State, and removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where he purchased land and spent the later years of his life in retirement, his death occurring in Adel. His widow is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and makes her home with her son, J. W. She is still enjoying good health, but has lost her eyesight. In the family were nine children, six of whom are living and are now prosperous and highly respected people. Our subject is third in order of birth of the surviving members of the family. The days of his childhood and youth were spent in his parents' home, and at the age of twenty he started out to make his own way in the world, securing a position as engineer in Rushville, Illinois. In 1859 he came to Dallas county, Iowa, where his parents had previously located, and settled on a farm which he operated for two years. He then returned to Illinois, working at the carpenter's trade for one year; but the Civil war was then in progress and he could not content himself with the pursuits of civil life when he thought that his country needed his services. On the 16th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company H, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, and after three years' service was mustered out at Vicksburg, in November, 1865. With his regiment he participated in a number of important engagements, including the forty-days siege at Vicksburg, the fourteen-days siege of Spanish Fort, in Mobile Bay, and the battles of Nashville and Franklin. At the last named a minie [sic] ball cut away one side of his mustache. On receiving his discharge, Mr. Welch returned to Illinois, where he farmed for two years. In 1868 he again came to Iowa and followed the carpenter's trade in Dallas county, but while thus engaged, in September, 1877, he received a severe cut on the left knee from a sharp tool, which made the leg stiff. This led him to change his occupation, and in 1878 he went to Van Meter, where he engaged in the butchering business until 1883, when he sold his shop and bought out S. T. Akers, a dealer in groceries and provisions. On the night of the 4th of July, 1887, his store was completely destroyed by fire and would have been a total loss had he not had an insurance of $700 upon it. In 1889 he purchased a general store of J. A. Edwards, which he conducted until 1893, when he sold out and went to Valley Junction, Iowa, where he engaged in the butchering business for four months. Returning then to Van Meter, he has since lived a retired life, for his earnest labor and capable management in former years had brought to him a comfortable competence, which now supplies him with all the necessaries and some of the luxuries of life. On the 31st of December, 1859, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Welch and Miss Leah Ann Working, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Illinois, where the wedding took place. They now have three children: Ann S., born September 9, 1861; Hattie F., born February 27, 1867; and Edith E., born August 30, 1880. The first two are married, and the youngest daughter is now attending school. They also lost one daughter, Margaret L., who was born September 28, 1863, and died November 30, 1865. In his political views Mr. Welch is a stanch [sic] Republican, unwavering in his support of the party. He has held various township offices, has served as Justice of the Peace, was Mayor of Van Meter, and during President Harrison's administration filled the office of Postmaster. His fidelity to duty is above question and he is one of the valued and public-spirited citizens of his adopted county. He attends the Methodist church, and socially is a member of Coon Valley Lodge, No. 257, I. O. O. F., and Van Meter Lodge, No. 18, K. of P., having filled all the offices in both organizations. --A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1896), 913-14

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John William Welch's memorial?
John William Welch's memorial is located at: Otterman Cemetery, De Soto, Dallas County, USA.
When did John William Welch death?
John William Welch death on 30 Oct 1904 in Van Meter, Dallas County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John William Welch's memorial?
Latitude: 41.5661011
Longitude: -93.9835968

Family Members:

Parent

James Welch

(1803 - 1871)

Sarah Smith Welch

(1810 - 1900)

Spouse

Leah Ann Working Welch

(1839 - 1908)

Siblings

Amos Welch

(1830 - 1908)

Henry Harrison Welch

(1839 - 1901)

James Edward Welch

(1844 - 1853)

Children

(unknow - unknow)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Otterman Cemetery
De Soto, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5661011, -93.9835968

2. Williams Cemetery
Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5886002, -93.9606018

3. Iowa Veterans Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5453300, -93.9520035

4. SBT Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5569000, -93.9297028

5. Oakland Cemetery
De Soto, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5219002, -94.0021973

6. Miller Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6133003, -93.9749985

7. Van Meter Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5269012, -93.9439011

8. Ellis Cemetery
De Soto, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5485992, -94.0475006

9. IOOF Cemetery
Adel Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6192017, -93.9991989

10. Rodenbaugh-Van Fossen Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6105995, -94.0468979

11. Clayton Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5175018, -93.9250031

12. Merical Cemetery
Adams Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6321360, -93.9702060

13. Longmire Cemetery
Adams Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5595780, -94.0731940

14. Oakdale Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6253014, -94.0267029

15. Payton Cemetery
Jefferson Township, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4958000, -93.9800034

16. Kinnick Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6392000, -93.9993000

17. McKibben Cemetery
Adams Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5317001, -94.0802994

18. Waukee Cemetery
Waukee, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6016998, -93.8842010

19. Booneville Cemetery
Booneville, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5293999, -93.8843994

20. Panther Creek Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5957985, -94.0982971

21. Union Chapel Cemetery
Jefferson Township, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4961815, -93.9056015

22. Trinity German Lutheran Cemetery
Jefferson Township, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4749985, -93.9550018

23. Fairview Cemetery
Madison Township, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4684700, -94.0170900

24. County Home Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6616544, -94.0274537