Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Welch, John B. 1895
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 15, 2012, 11:35 pm

The Ionia Standard, Friday, March 1, 1895

The death of Hon. John B. Welch removed a personage familiar to our citizens 
and conspicuous in the affairs of Ionia county for nearly sixty years.  He 
passed away peacefully at 10:30 on Tuesday evening.

John B. Welch was born March 22, 1816, in Peterboro, Schoharie county, New 
York.  His parents, Vine and Ruth Welch, came from Vermont.  John B. Came to 
Michigan in 1836, reaching Ionia May 22, at which time three log houses 
constituted what is now the city of Ionia.  Like nearly all the early 
settlers, he was poorly endowed with this world’s goods, but he was chock-full 
of days work, and his indomitable energy and perseverance soon made him a 
notable character in the early settlement, in which these attributes of 
character were by no means rare.

In June, 1837, he purchased of Col. Roberts a piece of land on Prairie Creek, 
that purchase being a part of the present Welch farm in Ionia township.  In 
1839, he visited his former home in New York, and married Miss Marola V. 
Wilson.  Leaving his young wife, he returned to Ionia and built a house, and 
then again made the trip to New York, at that time no light undertaking, to 
accompany his bride to her new home in the wilderness.  Of this union, three 
children were born: Eliza M., Ruth K., and Eli, of whom only Eliza is now 
living.  The wife died in 1846, and in 1848 Mr. Welch married the widow of 
Amos W. Roberts, who survives him.  By this marriage were four children: 
Marcia, wife of John H. Hamilton, Mary, wife of K. R. Smith, J. Darius, and 
Amos, all living in this city or in the immediate vicinity.

Mr. Welch’s principal occupation was farming, but he was always active in 
politics and in all public affairs.  His first vote was cast for Martin Van 
Buren, and until 1862 he was a strong adherent of the Democratic party, but 
with thousands of others was carried in to the Free Soil party by his anti-
slavery convictions, and subsequently became merged with that party into the 
Republican ranks.  When the war broke out he entered into the work of raising 
recruits with all his accustomed zeal and energy.  He assisted in raising the 
first full company under the call for 75,000 volunteers, the company becoming 
a part of the Third Infantry.  He was afterwards commissioned by Gov. Blair to 
raise the 21st Infantry and to serve as post commandant at the recruiting 
rendezvous.  To all the details of the work he gave the personal attention and 
intense vigor which were natural for him in any work in which he was engaged.

Mr. Welch was honored with various public positions, and in them all showed 
the untiring devotion to duty which was a marked trait of his character.  He 
was supervisor of Ionia township two years; under sheriff eight years; a 
member of the legislature four years.

In politics, Mr. Welch became a Greenbacker early in the organization of the 
party and the principles of that party guided him in the latter years of his 
life, and he never tired in proclaiming the political faith that was in him.  
He was not only a strong temperance man in relation to the use of alcoholic 
beverages, but he was one of the few men who have never indulged in the use of 
tobacco.

Mr. Welch was brought up in the faith of the Methodist-Episcopal church but on 
the organization of the Disciples church, through the efforts of Rev. Isane 
Errett, he became a member, and has since adhered to that denomination.

John B. Welch was a man worthy the name of the pioneer, possessing the strong 
individuality, the stern sense of moral obligations, the absolute convictions 
of opinion, and resolute determination in their advocacy, the power of 
physical endurance, and the capacity and will for severe and sustained effort, 
there distinguished the men who founded the early settlements of that period.  
He had also to a marked degree the feeling of hospitality that made his house 
a notable place for social gatherings and a strong sense of sympathy for the 
unfortunate, which made him a general benefactor to all those who were 
suffering or in need.

It has been said of him, that none who were in trouble sought his aid in 
vain.  He came as near a practical following of the altruism that is the 
essence of Christ’s teaching as is often seen even in those who avow a believe 
in the divine mission of the Savior.  He was one of a type of character that 
is fast passing away.  Most of his associates in the first years of Ionia’s 
history have already entered into the life beyond, and in a few years the last 
will be gone.  In all that company, few have left a stronger impression of 
their individuality upon the community, or will be remembered with a deeper 
sense of gratitude for good works, than John B. Welch.


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