John Welch Page

Welch Name Index Welch Table of Contents

Return to John & Agnes Welch Main Page

John Welch was born around 1823 in Ireland and it is believed he left Ireland with three brothers. Harold Welch recalled visiting Edward's sister Catherine (Kit) and hearing family stories. She recounted how John and three brothers came over from Ireland on the same boat. One of the brothers "got lost" in New York, and the other three came west.

John Welch is listed in the 1860 New Oregon Township, Howard County, Iowa Census as a 37 year old farmer. The census also lists his wife, Ann as 27 years old and born in Canada. Three children are listed (Catharine, age 9, born in Canada; John H., age 4, born in Iowa; and Daniel E., age 1, born in Iowa). This census also shows Patrick Welch, age 60, born in Ireland. This could be John's father or uncle. Two other children were born following the 1860 census.

In both the 1860 and 1870 census his wife is listed as Ann. It is possible that her name was Ann Agnes or Agnes Ann since she is listed as Agnes in the 1880 census, on Edward's death certificate and on Daniel's marriage record.

Catherine is listed in the 1900 Census as having been born in Canada and immigrating to the US from Canada in 1866. If this is true, John probably married Ann (who was born in Canada) and lived in Canada until 1866.

Agnes married Thomas Murtha between 1871 and 1878. Agnes and Thomas had at least one child, a son named Francis born about 1879.

Edward Eugene Welch was born August 16, 1863 in Cresco, Iowa. There was also another daughter referred to as "Aunt Dot". She and Elizabeth Solon Welch were good friends and Dot was maid of honor at Edward & Elizabeth's wedding. In Elizabeth's bible there are two entries for witnesses at the wedding. One lists Patsy Solon and Dot Welch and the other lists Patsy Solon and Mary J. Welch.

Eileen Welch recalls Elizabeth telling them of her escapades with Dot. They were supposed to fix meals for a railroad man who had a room in their house. Whenever they heard the train pull in, they would run and hide so he'd think they weren't home. The 1880 census lists 5 boarders living with the Solons - all working for the railroad.