Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-04-30

1t again becomes our painful duty
to chronicle the death of an esteemed
friend and native born life long citi-
zen of Potosi. William ]. Welsh died
at his home in the village of Potosi
Friday, April 25th at two O'Clock in
the morning following an illness of
two weeks with bronchial pneumonia.
1t was thought that in the early
stages of his illness under treatment
of DR.. Godfrey, hopes were entertain
ed for his recovery. Last Sunday af-
ternoon his condition changed for
worse and on Monday Drs. Hancock
of Dubuque, Cunningham of Platte
vile and Godfrey of Lancaster were
called in consultation and gave out
little if any hopes for his recovery,
and with all that medical science
could do and with the tender care of
nurses and his two sisters he peace
fully passed from earth. With the pas
sing of William j. Welsh Potosi has
lost an honorable and upright citi-
zen, one who did much for the well
fare of the village and was always
ready to aid in any enterprise that
was for the betterment of the place.
Following the disastrous fire in Po-
tosi Sept. 1, 1900, he purchased two
! lots on the corner of the burned dis
trict and erected handsome two
story brick business building there
on that has since been more beauti-
! fed in many respects. Today this
| building stands as monument to the
credit of a useful and enterprlS1ng
man. William Joseph Welsh was born
On a farm in the town OF POtOSl on
! Sept 9Th, 1862 and had continuously
made Potosi his home. He was a son
of Edward and Catherine Welsh, both
deceased, pioneer settlers of Potosl.
! During the lives of his parents he
manfully aided them in every way
! that a loving and dutiful son could
possibly do. After the death of his
parents he devoted his attention to
the welfare of his brothers and sis
tiers, though being by no means the
eldest of the family. He was never
married and at the time of death was
81 years, months, of age. About
| Is years ago he turned his attention
to Mississippi river Improvement work
| first as a sub-contractOr and later as
a general contractor, by which means
! he amassed a large competency al
! though some years met with reVerS-
es He was we'll and favorably known
all along the river from La Crosse
to ST. Louis and was highly thought
of for his gentlemanly bearing,
honesty and fair and square dealing
betwixt man and man. He was man
among men that seemingly everyone
liked and admired. He was quiet of
disposition, true to his convictions
and in every way true and good
man. He was a devoted brother espe-
cially to his sisters, Mrs. Margaret
Deneen and Mrs. Kate Keller. His
every thought was for their welfare,
and the passing of the noble brother
caused them grief that is beyond my
mower to express in words. They
have the heartfelt sympathy OF ev-
ervone in their sad bereavement and
irreparable loss William ]. Welsh
was a true christian and ardent be-
lever in the Catholic faith and died
fortified with all the rites OF his re-
ligion. AS a friend he had no equal.
He was ever ready to help a friend
be it with money or otherwise. He
was generous to a fault and his pOcK-
etbook was always open to aid the
poor and distressed. The funeral took
place at 9:15 o'clock Monday morn
ing from the home to st. Thomas
; Catholic church where the deceased
had worshiped his entire lifetime The
funeral was very largely attended,
, manifesting the high esteem Bill
Welsh was held in in the community
where he had lived his entire life.
Solemn requiem mass was read with
Rev. FIR. Lea as celebrant, Rev. FIR.
Michael Haas as deacon and Rev. FIR.
, Scheffer as sub-deacon.
, After the sermon the funeral cor
tege wendell it's way to the cemetery
on the hill where the last that was
mortal of a true man was consigned
to the grave. The order of Catholic
knights of Wisconsin of which the
deceased was a member, attended the
: funeral in large body The floral
tributes were most beautiful and In
great profusion. Thus has passed one
of Gods noblest creations of man.
| He leaves to mourn his departure
two sisters and three brothers: Mrs.
r Deneen and Mrs. Keller of Potos1,
4 Thomas of Dubuque, Edward on the
Pacific coast and James in an infirm-
l airy Two brothers, John and David,
( preceded him to the grave. He was a
member of K. of c. lodge No. 566 of
: Burlington, Iowa.