Eighth Generation
Family of Fannie Fidelia PRIOR (7) & William Willard WELCH

8. Henry Walter WELCH. Born on 3 Jan 1863 in Van Buren, Jackson Co., IA. Henry Walter died in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas on 9 Mar 1942; he was 79. Buried on 14 Mar 1942 in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. LaCrosse Cemetery.

Notes for Henry Walter Welch:

1870 Iowa Census - Van Buren Twp, Jackson County.
1880 Kansas Census - Union Twp, Rush Co.
1885 Kansas State Census - Union Twp, Rush Co.
1890 First Territorial Census of Oklahoma, County 16-17-6 pg. 714
1900 Kansas Census - Union Twp, Rush Co.
1910 Kansas Census - LaCrosse, Rush Co.

Source: "1870 Indiana Census," Morgan Co., Eminence, Adams Twp, Microfilm, Oklahoma State Historical Society, 5 Mar 1999.

Source: Descendants of Samuel Sturgeon," Nina Scannell, Ohio, 19 Feb 1999.

According to his obituary, he went to Kansas in 1878 settling in Union Township, Rush County, south of Nekoma. Being of pioneer stock and looking for new fields, he made the run in the opening of the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma in 1890 (or 1889), staking his claim near Kingfisher, after which he was employed in the construction of Ft. Reno. In 1894 he moved with his family to Howell County, Missouri, and remained there until 1897 when they returned to Rush County, Kansas and settled on school land adjoining his father's homestead in Union Township where he farmed and worked his trade. In 1904 he and his family moved to LaCrosse and entered the building construction buisness which he continued through the year 1919 when he was appointed Superintendent of Bridge Construction by the Board of Commissioners, a position which he held until 1928 when forced to resign due to physical ailments.

"Hank" was a rugged individual, typically a man's man. He was jovial, good natured, witty soul, with a strong personality. He was proud of his heritage and proud of his ability as a tradesman. He enjoyed the fellowship of a large acquaintance of friends, and even though the last twelve years of his life were spent at home, practically bedfast, he would have his visit and joke with those who came to visit him.

He attended a school in Van Buren, Jackson County, Iowa where he learned the Spenserian system of handwriting, and he wrote beautifully. He learned the stonemason's trade from his father early in life. The Family came to Kansas with the Iowa colony c. 1878, and he spent some time in Ottawa County, Kansas. The many stone buildings that Henry worked on across the plains stand as a monument to his creativity.

He married Ida Alice Sturgeon 13 June 1886. They had nine children. Harry Ward and Irene Rose died in infancy. Everett Willard died at age 16, Clarence died at 28 years of age. Abbie Lillian married Charles Darr. Their children were Millard, Edith, Ned, Edaree and Sharon. She married second husband Ralph Smith. Idell married Pearl Clark and had Greta, Margaret and Marjorie (twins). Idell's second husband was Charles Gier. Raymond L. married Florence Allen and had Raymond L. Jr. Orrie Belle married John Greenway and had Robert James, Jack Lee, (Roberta Greenway's father), Milford Keith and Virginia Alice (Jana Jo Freed's mother). John died in 1928. Ida died 10 March 1922 and Henry on 9 March 1942. Both Buried in LaCrosse, Kansas. The many stone buildings stand as monument to his creative ability.

Source: "History of Jackson County" Jana Freed, great grandadaughter, page 435.

Source: "Death Certificate," Henry W. Welch, No. 83 1992, State Board of Health--Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.

Source: "Death Certificate," Ida A. Welch, No. 83 670, State Board of Health--Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.

The Henry Welch home was in the 400 block of East 9th Street in LaCrosse, Kansas. It was a stone house. Henry was a carpenter as well as a stonemason.

Source: Margaret Hain Houser THEY DARED TO COME A biography of the first settler of LaCrosse, page 64.

Military: Served in the Militia in El Reno, Canadian Co, OK.


On 13 Jun 1886 when Henry Walter was 23, he married Ida Alice STURGEON, daughter of Thomas Robert STURGEON (May 1842-abt Nov 1908) & Margaretta RYSINGER, in Rush Center, Rush Co., KS. Born on 10 Nov 1866 in Martinsville, Morgan Co., Indiana. Ida Alice died in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas on 10 Mar 1922; she was 55.[5] Buried in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas.[6] LaCrosse Cemetery in Welch Plot.

Notes for Ida Alice Sturgeon:

1870 Indiana Census - Morgan Co, Eminence PO, Adams Twp.
1885 Kansas State Census - Rush Co, Rush Center.

Source:"1870 Indiana Census," Morgan Co., Eminence, Adams Twp, Microfilm, Oklahoma State Historical Soceiety, 5 Mar 1999.

According to her obituary (Rush Center Breeze, Rush Co, KS), she was born in Martinsville, IL. (We believe this should be IN.) Her Death Certificate says Indiana. She moved with her parents to Missouri when she was quite young. In 1885 they moved to Kansas. She joined the Baptist church when thirteen years of age, and later became United Brethren church of LaCrosse, of which she was an active member. She was also an active member in the local Rebekah Lodge and was one of the officers at the time of her death.

Source: "Descendants of Samuel Sturgeon," Nina Scannell, Ohio, 19 Feb 1999.

Source: "Death Certificate," 10 Mar 1922, State Board of Health -- Division of Vital Statistics, No. 83 670, Topeka, Kansas.


They had the following children:
i. Harry Ward. Born on 27 Feb 1887 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Harry Ward died on 6 Mar 1887 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Harry Ward died on 7 Mar 1887 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS.
ii. Everett Willard. Born on 15 Aug 1888 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Everett Willard died in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS on 26 Apr 1904; he was 15.
iii. Abbie Lillian. Born on 9 Jul 1890 in Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK Terr. Abbie Lillian died in Great Bend, Barton Co., KS on 26 May 1978; she was 87. Born on 9 Jul 1890 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma Terr. Abbie Lillian died in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas on 26 May 1978; she was 87.

On 18 Dec 1907 when Abbie Lillian was 17, she first married Charles Augustus Ruben DARR, son of Charles Chilton DARR (abt 1855-) & Vienna ATKINSON, in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Born on 18 Aug 1884 in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Charles Augustus Ruben died in Springfield or Eugene, OR. on 2 Dec 1956; he was 72. Born on 18 Aug 1884 in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Charles Augustus Ruben died in Eugene, OR on 2 Dec 1956; he was 72.

On 8 Aug 1957 when Abbie Lillian was 67, she second married Ralph G. SMITH, in Great Bend, Barton Co., Ks. Born on 21 May 1886 in Hoisington, Barton Co., KS. Ralph G. died in Great Bend, Barton Co., Ks on 25 Apr 1967; he was 80. Ralph G. died in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas on 25 Apr 1967; he was 80.
iv. Irene Rose. Born on 26 Apr 1892 in Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK Terr. Irene Rose died on 26 Apr 1892 in Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK Terr. Born on 26 Apr 1892 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma Terr. Irene Rose died on 26 Apr 1892 in Kingfisher Co. OK.
v. Idell Fidelia[7]. Born on 24 Jul 1893 in Kingfisher, Kingfisher Co., OK Terr. Idell Fidelia died in Longview, WA on 24 Feb 1987; she was 93.

Idell Fidelia first married Charles GIER.

On 16 Jan 1913 when Idell Fidelia was 19, she second married Pearl Gill CLARK[7], in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Born on 23 Jan 1884 in Hudson, Stafford Co., KS. Pearl Gill died in Grandview, WA. on 22 Nov 1963; he was 79. Born on 23 Jan 1884 in Hudson Stafford Co, KS.
9 vi. Orrie Belle (1897-1981)
vii. Raymond LeClare. Born on 20 Aug 1899 in S Of Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Raymond LeClare died in Hays, Ellis Co., KS on 15 Jul 1980; he was 80. Born on 20 Aug 1899 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Raymond LeClare died in Hays, Ellis Co, KS. on 15 Jul 1980; he was 80.

On 2 Feb 1920 when Raymond LeClare was 20, he first married Florence Mae (Flossie) ALLEN, in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Born on 30 May 1897. Florence Mae (Flossie) died on 24 Sep 1971; she was 74.
viii. Clarence Fay. Born on 24 Aug 1902 in S Of Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Clarence Fay died in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas on 26 Jun 1930; he was 27. Born on 25 Aug 1902 in Nekoma, Rush Co., KS. Clarence Fay died in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas on 26 Jun 1930; he was 27.

On 30 Oct 1925 when Clarence Fay was 23, he married Veda M. EDWARDS, daughter of Altamus Aaron EDWARDS & MARION, in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Born on 26 Feb 1905 in Bison, Rush Co, KS. Veda M. died in 1980 in Hays, Ellis Co, KS. Born on 26 Feb 1905 in Bison, Rush Co., KS. Veda M. died in 1980 in Hays, Ellis Co., KS.
ix. Howard Fred. Born on 28 Jul 1907 in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas. Howard Fred died in Houston, MO. on 8 Dec 1977; he was 70. Born on 28 Jul 1907 in LaCrosse, Rush Co., Kansas.

On 5 Apr 1931 when Howard Fred was 23, he married Daisy Louise CARROLL, daughter of Frederick James CARROLL & Carrie BALLARD, in Russell, Russell Co., KS. Easter Sunday. Born on 2 Apr 1914. Daisy Louise died in Cabool, MO on 2 Nov 1991; she was 77.[8] Kabul Nursing Home. Buried on 5 Nov 1991 in Cabool Cemetery, Cabool, MO.

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