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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Francis G. Welch, whose fine farm, Forest Home, is situated on section 25, Harrison township, built his present attractive residence in 1883, and has a well improved property, there being good buildings, an orchard and all the accessories found upon a model farm of the twentieth century. At one time his landed possessions were quite extensive, but he has divided with his children, retaining possession of one hundred acres of rich land. He is, however, living retired, leaving the active work of the farm to others, while he is enjoying well earned ease. Mr. Welch is one of the old settlers of Mahaska county, having resided here since 1860. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, August 19, 1836, a son of John Welch, who was also born and reared in Harrison county, where he acquired his education. He was married there to Miss Margaret Gilmore, also a native of Ohio, and in order to provide for his family he operated a farm. Both he and his wife died in Harrison county. In their family were six children, all of whom reached adult age. Francis G. Welch was reared upon the old home farm and received a common-school education. When twenty-four years of age be drove a flock of eight hundred sheep through to Iowa and later made a second trip of this nature. Throughout his entire business career, he, too, has been identified with agricultural and stock-raising interests, and has won gratifying success. Francis G. Welch was married in Ohio, September 13, 1866, to Miss Margaret Simpson, a native of that state, and a daughter of John and Margaret Simpson. Mr. Welch on coming to the west purchased, one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison township, Mahaska county, and forty-four acres of timber land near by, in Wapello county. He rebuilt the house and made a good farm there. Two children were born of that marriage: Lavernge and Omar S., both of whom are married, and are heads of families, living upon land given them by their father. Mr. Welch lost his first wife in 1874, and in 1876 married Elizabeth Slemmons, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Matthew Slemmons, who was likewise born in the Buckeye state, and is now living in Johnson county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Welch have been born three children: Anna, now the wife of C. W. Randell, of Harrison township, by whom she has two children, Frank and Charles; Slemmons, who is married and lives at home, his wife being Gladys Brown, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Austin Brown, of Wapello county; and Frank, who assists in carrying on the farm. In 1883 Mr. Welch erected a good two-story residence, which he now occupies. He has also built substantial barns and outbuildings and has a good orchard upon his place. He raises high grades of stock and his land is well tilled, everything about his farm giving indication of his careful supervision. He has lived a life of industry and diligence and from the soil has gained a competence that now enables him to live retired. He added to his original possessions until he became the owner of six hundred acres of valuable land, which he has since divided with his children, retaining one hundred acres in his fine farm, Forest Home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Welch are members of the Presbyterian church at Kirkville. Politically he is independent. He has been called to serve in several public offices, being a member of the board of trustees and assessor and at all times he is a public-spirited man, who champions every progressive movement for the benefit of his county. He is widely known in Mahaska county and his life record is in many respects worthy of emulation, proving what can be accomplished through strong and unfaltering purpose and also standing in exemplification of the fact that prosperity and an honored name can be won simultaneously.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy