Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Welch, John H. 1892
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net July 27, 2010, 7:19 pm

The Ionia Standard, Friday, December 2, 1892
John H. Welch died at 11 p.m. Thursday, November 24.  Mr. Welch was born in 
Herkimer county, New York, April 6, 1836.  He came to Ionia April 5, 1856.  He 
married April 30, 1858, Rebecca Dye, daughter of Nelson Dye, one of the early 
pioneers of Ionia.  His wife survives.  They had one son, Douglas, who died 
September 30, 1870, at the age of 10.  He was a bright boy and his death was a 
great affliction for his parents.

Mr. Welch has been prominent in politics and business here, and his social 
characteristics and whole souled nature made him widely known and generally 
liked.  He has served as city marshal, under sheriff, and U.S. timber agent, 
and was known as an energetic and efficient officer.  During recent years he 
has devoted his entire attention to personal business, having started, and 
managed, a prosperous grocery store and meat market on East Main street.  Wm. 
Longe has been associated with him in this business the last few years, and 
they have added to it a considerable business in the purchase and shipment of 
live stock for the eastern markets.

There are few of our citizens who cannot recall some kind action or generous 
deed in his life, done from an unselfish desire to benefit others, and his 
death is sincerely mourned by a wide circle of strongly attached friends.

The funeral of the late John H. Welch, which took place Sunday afternoon, was 
largely attended.  The services were under charge of Ionia lodge No. 36, 
F.&A.M., which turned out 60 strong, under the command of A. S. Wright, W. M., 
with John T. Pickhaver as marshal, and J. W. Baldie, as assistant marshal.  
They proceeded from the hall to the residence on East Main, where a part of 
the ritual was read, after which they conveyed the remains to the Presbyterian 
church, where a very impressive sermon was delivered by Rev. Oxtoby, from 
these words: “These light afflictions work out for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory.”  The funeral cortege then proceeded to Highland 
Park, where the final services were performed.

The A.O.U.W. thirty in number, acted as escort.  The bearers were Wm. F. 
Soule, H. A. Rich, C. B. Derthick, J. Ferle, J. G. Dexter, Frank L. Fox.

The church was filled to its utmost capacity.  The casket was covered with 
floral offerings, all testifying to the high regard in which deceased was held 
by the community.

From 1856 to 1892 John H. Welch was one of Ionia’s best citizens.  Though 
dead, yet in the hearts and affections of those who knew him, he still lives, 
and ever will.

Thirty-six years of active business life among us demonstrated that he was 
every inch a man.  Ionia was never blessed with a more noble, generous, kind 
hearted soul than he.  His name is as familiar as household words in the home 
of every old settler.  For acts of charity and kindness he had no superior.  
With the poor and needy he always showed liberality.  The homes of the sick, 
especially, he always visited, and blessed with vows of sympathy and acts of 
kindness.

With him, as with us all, life had its cares and burdens, yet it was a grand 
and glorious success in the development of a grand, true and noble manhood.  
Farewell, good friend and neighbor, your kind, genial countenance we shall see 
no more; that kind, animating voice, no more shall we hear; but you will not 
be forgotten, especially by the old settlers; those who knew you best, loved 
you most.  Good-bye, John.


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