William Welsch was born in Prussia, Germany.

1st wife Julia Baer Welsch (born Prussia Germany)

Daughter

Julia A Welsch Schnitz

2nd wife Anna Martha Cook (Koch) Welsch, daughter of John Adam Koch & his wife Gertrude Strube Koch.

2 Daughters

Elisabeth Welsch Speicher

Louisa Welsch Schnitz

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1860 Pleasant Twp, Wabash Co,IN - Welsh, head William 41 (b unreadable), Martha 23 (b unreadable), Julia 9 IN & Elizabeth 2 IN

1880 Chester Twp, Wabash Co,IN - Welsch, head farmer William 61 Germany (both parents b Germany) & wife Martha 44 Germany (both parents b Germany) & Schnitz, son in law William 24 IN (both parents b Germany) & daughter Louisa 19 IN (both parents b Germany)

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Urbana, Wabash Co, Indiana

This society is an outgrowth of Wabash Society, which was organized in 1871 by H Preiss. At a revival held in Wabash in 1872, Sophia Schultz, Katherine Week, Martha Welsch and daughters, Lizzie and Louisa, of near Urbana were converted.

Jacob Miller of Wabash Mission now began to preach every few weeks near Urbana in the home of Conrad Baker, Geo Holstein and Wm Welsch who were already members at Wabash. He held one meeting in the Urbana Schoolhouse, but met with such fierce opposition from Lutherans that he did not continue.

At the Speicher Schoolhouse, -- miles east of Urbana, he conducted a catechetical class with four catechumens, Mary and Martha Baker, and Lizzie and Louisa Welsch. In 1874 C C Beyrer continued meetings here. In 1875 C Brauer was stationed on Wabash Charge. But illness compelled him to resign. Then Dr C C Baumgartner was prevailed upon to take the field. He began his work in November. It was a favorable appointment, a Swiss by birth, the families became greatly interested in him. -- also being a skilled physician, gained their confidence easier. They believed him to be the man of God for this place. In the winter of 1876-77, a revival broke out in the schoolhouse appointment. Such meetings of divine power was a new thing here.

Opposition, however, was not wanting. Persecution became so keen at one service that it was deemed expedient to give the meeting up in the schoolhouse. Services were held in father John Speicher's home. The first convert of this meeting was Mary Backer, 16 years old, whose conversion made such a deep impression upon the public mind, that many believed in this work as a work of real divine grace.

Then the children of John and Christian Speicher and Wm Welsch were converted.

The Speicher's now withdrew from the Evangelical Synod of Urbana. Dr B received church members and organized them into a society as follows, John Speicher, wife and Rosa; Samuel Speicher and wife; Fred Speicher and wife; John Speicher Jr, and wife; Daniel L, Joseph, Peter S, David, Philip Speicher; Christian Speicher and wife and his sons, John, Samuel, Fred, Peter, Daniel; Sophia Schultz; Kath Keck; Conrad Baker and wife; Geo H Holstein; Wm, Martha, Louisa and Elizabeth Welsch and Jacob and Julia Schnitz. David Speicher was elected class-leader.

Early in 1877 a Sunday School was organized with D L Speicher superintendent. Soon after this revival it was decided to build a brick church on the corner of Fred Speicher's farm. The church was dedicated October 7, 1877, by Bishop R Dubs as "Zion Church". The cost was $2,000.00. Of this $700.00 was raised on dedication day. E L Kiplinger was P E. This was a great year for -- people. The interest reached its zenith when the society sent an invitation to Conference in Linn Grove, Indiana, September, 1877, to hold its next session in their church. Next April, 1878, Conference was held here with Bishop R Dubs presiding.

In 1878 J K Troyer was pastor. He had a gracious harvesting here from the sowing. This year John Gurtner and wife and Wm Schnitz came into the church. The increase for the next 10-12 years was realized through accession; of brides of the young Speichers who succeeded in leading their companions unto salvation, and then the children of these became the natural increase to the church. In 1880 Geo Schmoll was pastor; 1881-82, E R Troyer; '83, J Berger; '84-85, Geo Schmoll; '86-87, C C Beyrer with A S Fisher first year and S H Baumgartner second year. 1888, J Hoffman; '89-90, Geo Roederer. He had a gracious revival.

At this time the language question began to agitate the minds of the people. The older ones preferred the German, and the younger the English.

The M E Church just had started a mission in Urbana and since some of our people lived in town they became interested in it, though not wishing to join them. The M E people, not numerically strong, and seeing that our people purposed to start an English Society, ceased work here. In 1890 W Wildermuth was pastor.

In 1891 Urbana was added to West Point and called Urbana Mission, I Wales, pastor. A camp-meeting was held this year in J Speicher's grove, with Editor J C Hornberger and Pres H J Kiekhoefer as principal speakers.

This year the church in Urbana was built, containing one main auditorium 28x46 feet, and two class-rooms, one on either side of it each 17x28 feet. There are two vestibules in the two towers for entrance. The seating capacity 500. The cost of the church was $4,600.00. Previous to this, services had been held in the old Lutheran Church. Samuel S, Fred F, and J B Speicher were the trustees and supervised the erection. In January, 1892, the church was dedicated by I Wales, due to the unavoidable absence of Bishop S C Breyfogel. On September 4, '92, the first Y P A was organized with 30 members.

The old society in the country began losing out when they allowed their children to attend Sunday School in town. This ended the German.

In 1893 J M Dustman served. He obtained Evangelist Grob for a meeting. Many experienced full salvation. In 1894 Aug Geist was pastor. He had evangelist McLaughlin for a special meeting in February, 1895. In 1896 the Conference session was held here again with Bishop S C Breyfogel presiding. J E Stoops became pastor at this Conference session. He had a wonderful revival here. He held four meetings daily for a time, with conversions at all meetings. One time 47 were at the altar and 20 were saved. He had one very impressive service when 14 husbands with their wives were together at the altar. Business places, even the saloon, closed at 7:15 pm for the service. In two weeks 115 bowed at the altar, most of whom were saved and 63 united with the church. The saloon quietly shut up shop.

In 1898 F E Zechiel served Urbana. This was a year of sore trial for pastor and people, due to lack of patience one with the other and love that forgives, and forgets. In 1899-02, A Geist; '03, F Rausch; '04-07, M L Scheidler; '08-11, F L Snyder; '12-16, A A Knepper; '17, C A Wright; '18-20, O A Overholser; '21-23, C E Geist. Dave Hill and the Petticord party held evangelistic meetings here with success. This society recommended the following men for license to preach: D D Speicher, 1885; C D Wendall, 1891; Geo E Speicher, 1891; P S Speicher, 1892; C E Geist, 1894; J L Speicher, 1908; G C Pullman, 1910; E F Snyder, 1910.

This society has owned two parsonages to date. The present one is a commodious home. Auxiliary to this society are a well equipped Sunday School; a good Y P A; a live W M S, and a Ladies' Aid Society.

Historical Data and Life Sketches of the Deceased Ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915

Vol 1

Samuel H Baumgartner

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Name: Wm Welsch

Gender: Male

Will Date: 31 Jul 1889

Probate Date: 31 Jul 1889

Probate Place: Wabash, Indiana

Inferred Death Date: 1889

Item Description: Will Records, Vol C-D, 1880-1894

Individuals Listed, Relationship

Wm Welsch

Martha Welsch, wife

Emma Rebecca Schnitz, grandchild

Bertha Elizabeth Schnitz, grandchild

Albert B Schnitz, grandchild

Alvin Theodore Speicher, grandchild

Amos Emanuel Speicher, grandchild

Anna Augusta Speicher, grandchild

Julia Schnitz, daughter

Jacob Schnitz, son in law