Death Of A Bridgewater Pioneer

Hiram Welch died at his home in Bridgewater, May 15, of pneumonia. He was 92 years of age, having been born in Skaneattles, N. Y., March 26, 1804. His grandfather served in the revolutionary war and his father in the war of 1812. His mother lived to be 94 years of age. He came to Michigan in 1812 and settled in Pittsfield, four miles south of this city.

After clearing a farm there, he bought 160 acres of land in Scio to which he removed After three years he moved to Howell, when he purchased 200 acres of wild land, put up a log hut and cleared forty acres. This took two years and he then moved back to this county, buying a farm in Lodi on which he remained eleven years. He then moved to Grand Rapids and cleared up another farm. In 1852 he moved to Bridgewater and located on the farm on which he died. He was four times married, the first time to Miss Amanda Briggs, in 1824, by whom he had five children. His wife dying in 1841 in 1842 he was married to Miss Maria Isbell, by whom he had two children. His second wife died in 1869 and in 1871 he was married to Mrs. Louisa Lathrop. His last marriage was to Miss Hammond, who survives him. He left descendants in the fourth generation. He was an industrous man, liberal to his family and community. He was a good neighbor and an upright citizen. Possessing a mirthful disposition and being very quick at repartee, his society was much sought after by young and old. Usually having vigorous health for one of his age, he was frequently seen driving to and from the villages near. His last illness was of short duration.