Obit: Welsh, Mary (1855 - 1938)

Contact:  Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: WELSH HODGES MACK

----Sources: The Loyal Tribune 17 November 1938

Welsh, Mary (15 OCT 1855 - 4 NOV 1938)

Early Friday morning, Nov. 4, Mrs. Mary Welsh heard the call to join with other pioneer saints, her companions of yesterday, who now rest from their labors.. Her illness was brief; her passing, peaceful.

Mary Hodges was born just a little over 83 years ago, Oct.15, 1855, at Walnut Hill, Illinois. When 13 years of age she moved with her parents to Ganey, Kansas where she grew to womanhood among pioneer conditions and where on Dec. 10, 1874 she became the bride of Henry Welsh.

In 1886, after several moves, the family came to Loyal making the six weeks’ trip in a covered wagon. For three years they resided on a farm west of the village. They then moved into the village where until her death she made her home with the exception of short periods near Seattle, Wash., in 1913-15 and in 1923 and in St. Croix Falls 1924 to 1928.

Mrs. Welsh was a charter member and an active worker of the Woman’s Relief Corps as long as it existed locally. She was also a charter member and the oldest member of Hope Camp, R. N. A.

From girlhood she has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the W. F. M. S. and the W. C. T. U.

Mrs. Welsh was preceded in death by her husband (1918) and three children. She is survived by two daughters, Miss Nettie, at home, and Mrs. Walter Mack, also of Loyal, by one son, William Welsh of Wibaux, Montana; one sister, Miss Jessie Hodges of Seattle, Washington, by 5 grand children, and 2 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Welsh was "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus". She was rich in those things which moth and rust cannot touch, and which are beyond the power of thieves to steal. She leaves to her loved ones and friends a treasure rich with exalted memories. Funeral services conducted by Rev. R. J. Fleming, were held in the Loyal Methodist church at 2 P. M. Monday and she was laid to rest in the family lot in the Loyal cemetery.

Pall bearers were Fred Draper, Henry Boe, Ray Prior, Fre Church, Johnny Karau, and J. R. Thomas.

The poem, by Lizzie Clark Hardy, found on the local page was an especial favorite of Mrs. Welsh.