WL1: Michael Phillip Welch(1913-1979)

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Phillip Welch(1913-1979)

Born: December 20th, 1913 in Westfield, IA


Father: Edward B. Welch(1855-1924) 

Mother: Mary Josephine Pelroy(1873-1955)


Married: Dorothy E. Johnson(1920-2013)(J1) on August 5th, 1938 in Union, SD


Children:


Died: November 7th, 1979 in Westfield, IA

Michael Welch with car

Michael Welch with car

Michael Phillip Welch was born on December 20th, 1913 to Edward B. Welch and Mary Josephine Pelroy in Westfield IA.  He was the seventh of nine children.  He was living with the family on the family farm in 1920.  He was 7 years old and could speak, read and write English. 

His father died on January 18th, 1924 and, according to the 1925 Iowa Census, he was living with his mother and siblings in Westfield, IA in 1925.  At this point he had completed the 3rd grade in school. The 1930 U.S. Census has the family containing to live on the farm. Michael is listed as being 16 years old and attending school.  Some of the older siblings have moved out. 

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Welch

Michael Welch, Sr.

Michael Welch, Sr.

According to the 1940 U.S. Census, Michael was still living in Westfield in 1935.  He married Dorothy Johnson of Elk Point, SD on August 5th, 1938 in Beresford, SD.  Their marriage was officiated by J.D. Kirley, a Catholic Priest. Michael was 24 and Dorothy was 18.

 Mike, John, Joe, Bill, Matt, and Dan

 Mike, John, Joe, Bill, Matt, and Dan

Beresford, SD

Dorothy, Mike, Theresa, Larry, Louie, Ruth, 8. Kathleen

Dorothy, Mike, Theresa, Larry, Louie, Ruth, 8. Kathleen

Their first child, Lawrence Michael was born in 1939 in Westfield, IA.  The family was living with Michael's older brother Joseph in 1940.  Michael was the head of the household and rented a farm for which he paid $800 a month. This was the same house he lived in in 1935. He had completed up to his sophomore year in High School.  On October 16th, 1940 he registered for the draft.  He is listed as living on R1 in Westfield, IA with his wife.  He is 5'8" tall and weighs 145 lbs. with blue eye, brown hair and a Ruddy complexion.

Their first daughter was born in 1941. Their second son, Thomas Patrick was born in 1942 and died within 3 months.  Another son was born in 1943 followed by a daughter in about 1945.  Twin girls were born in 1948.  The 1950 U.S. Census shows Michael living with his wife, 2 sons and 4 daughters on a farm south of Linden in Westfield, IA.  He is 36 years old and works 65 hours a week as a farmer. The couple had two more children, a daughter in 1960 and a son in 1963.  

Mike, Mike, and Louie, around 1963

Mike, Mike, and Louie, around 1963

Mike, Mike and Lunnette

Mike, Mike and Lunnette

Dorothy, Mike and family, abt 1968

Dorothy, Mike and family, abt 1968

Dorothy, Mike and family, abt 1970

Dorothy, Mike and family, abt 1970

Welch Grandkids

Welch Grandkids

Mike working on the farm

Mike working on the farm

Mike working on the farm

Mike working on the farm

Mike working on the farm

Mike working on the farm

Michael Welch Service

Michael Welch Service

I've found no other records until his death on November 7th, 1979 in Akron, IA. He is buried in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Akron, IA.  Here is a transcription of his obituary.


Michael Welch

Akron, Iowa-Michael P. Welch, 65, Akron, died Wednesday in an Akron hospital of a long illness.


Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Rev. Stanley Stone will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.


The Rosery will be recited at 8 p.m. Friday in the Schroeder Funeral Home.


Mr. Welch was born Dec. 20, 1913, at Westfield.


He married Dorothy Johnson Aug 5 1938 at Beresford, S.D. They lived their entire married life n Plymouth County, farming near Westfield until moving to Akron four years ago.


Survivors include the widow, five daughters, Mrs. John (Theresa) Carey of Marion Ind., Mrs. Bill (Ruth) Hinton of Owatonna, Minn., Mrs. Ivan (Marlene) Wessling of Waterloo, Mrs. Gordon (Kathleen) Von Ahsen of Tracy, Minn., and Miss Lunette Welch of Owatonna; three sons, Lawrence, and Louis, both of Sioux City and Michael Jr. at home; a sister, Mrs. Daryl (Julia) Taylor of Akron, and 11 grandchildren.


Akron, IA

Michael Welch's Gravesite

Michael Welch's Gravesite

Branch

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