Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1907 — AN OLD SETTLER DIES. [ARTICLE]

AN OLD SETTLER DIES.

James Welsh Passes Away After rionths of Suffering From Cancer. James Welsh was born Dec. 17, 1835, near Montmorenci, Tippecanoe county, Ind.; moved to Jasper county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Welsh, in 1840. He lived within Jasper county all his after life, excepting three years when employed bytheGovernment as surveyor, in the States of Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. From the scratch of a hedge tborn received in Oct, 1005, developed a malignant cancer, which after producing intense pain and suffering, heroically endured, caused his death, Aug, 23, 1907, at his home miles south of Rensselaer, at the age of 71 years, 9 months and 6 days. He was happily unitod in marriage to Miss Mary E. Richey, Oct. 31, 1865, To them was born two children, Carrieand Bert, who with their mother and three grand-chil-dren are left to mourn the death of a kind father and a good husband. He was not only kind to family and kindred, but also extended his kindness to all his large circle of friends and acquaintances who also deplore the loss of a kind fripnd and good citizen. James Welsh was next to the youngest of five children born to his parents, the youngest being the first person buried in the Welsh cemetery, wherein also he was laid to rest, after services held at the home, conducted by Rev. D. T. Halstead Aug. 25 and attended by a large concourse of friends, both at the services and burial. When his father was elected to the office of county surveyor of Jasper county, he made James his deputy and at his father’s death he was appointed to the vrcancy. Later he was employed by the government' as surveyor in the states of Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. He was eleoted and served as trustee-of Jordan tp., and assessor of Marion tp., also served as ditch commissioner of the oounty and was once post toaster at Rensselaer. He took an active part in politics, and owing to his wide acquaintance, popularity and qualifications, his name was twice placed on the county ticket by the minority, but, owing to the greatness only of the majority, was defeated. He early identified himself with the Farmers’ Alliance movement, acting as state organizer and as a member of the executive committee of the state organization, and from that time until his death his political golden rule was: "Equal rights to all and special privileges to none.” He had the courage of his oonvictions, and not only talked but voted that this great rule might be embodied into iaw, and be honestly and fearlessly executed. - While he believed in a God and maoh of the Christian religion he never became a member of any church, but about three months before his death he decided to be baptized and that Father Andrew of the Indian School should baptize him, which he did later. Prior to ’69 he taught school and was one of the oldest and best known teachers in the county.