Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana
Monday, Sept. 20, 1915
PIONEER IS DEAD
Daniel Weldy, at the Age of Nearly Ninety-Three Years, Died Sunday
HAD BEEN FEEBLE
For Past Year - Was Prominent Farmer of Kirkland Township
Daniel Weldy, nearly ninety-three years of age, for more than seventy years a resident of Adams county, died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at his home on First street. Mr. Weldy had been in feeble health for the past year and for several months had been unable to be up all of the time, spending part of the time sitting in a chair and part in bed. He seemed to be suffering from no constitutional disease, but simply feeble from infirmities of age. Saturday night he did not feel like lying down until two o'clock, having sat in his chair until that time. He then went to bed and at six o'clock peacefully slept away. For several hours[sic], his son, William B. Weldy and family had resided with him and cared for him in his declining days.
The time that Mr. Weldy began life in this county, is recalled and remembered by very few living people today. He came here in 1845, when the county was young, and in looking back over its development, he could point to many changes wherein he had assisted in the accomplishment of the development of the county and community.
He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1822, being a son of Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. The son, Daniel, was one of twelve children born to his parents. He remained at home until fifteen years of age, when his mother died, and he was practically thrown on his own resources. He rented land from his uncle and raised and bought tobacco, which he shipped to Pittsburg, and the first $1,200 he made, he lost in tobacco in the Pittsburg fire of 1844.
He came to Adams county in the fall of 1845 and the following spring bought the farm where he lived until thirteen years ago, when he came to Decatur. The farm then contained eighty acres. There was on this land a rude log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, with puncheon floor and mud chimney, in which he lived about eight years, when he erected a frame house and frame barn. He occupied the frame dwelling until 1870, when he erected his present fine brick dwelling at a cost of about $4,000.
Mr. Weldy was twice married. He was married October 13, 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Beery, whose death occurred December 8, 1879. Of the eleven children born to them, five are living. They are Christian M. Weldy, William B. Weldy, Mrs. A. M. Fisher, Mrs. Noah Mangold, all of Decatur; Mrs. J. D. Gault of Peterson. Those deceased are Seth M., Abraham, Daniel, Mrs. Ella Ullery, Eli W. and Barbara Rinehart. He was again married August 22, 1880, to Mrs. Hester Blosser Beery, who is now deceased.
Mr. Weldy was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than 800 acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer, he was very successful. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses.
Mr. Weldy served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his township, in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant, being a Trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years; a justice of the peace for eleven years, and a member of the board of county commissioners for a long term. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log school house in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county.
Mr. Weldy was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifty-two years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge No. 167, in this city.
Besides the children named before, Mr. Weldy leaves thirty-three great-grandchildren, and thirty-one grandchildren.
Had Mr. Weldy lived but two weeks longer - until, Sunday, October 3 - he would have been ninety-three years of age. As usual, the annual family reunion would have been held at that time, the occasion marking his birth anniversary for many years.
The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon. There will be short services at the home on First street at three o'clock and at four o'clock there will be services at the Beery Antioch church west of the city. The Rev. Benjamin Borton will officiate.
**
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, p. 264 (image 541)
DANIEL WELDY.
In a time that is now recalled and remembered by few men living in Adams county today Daniel Weldy began life in the northeastern part of Indiana. He lives in the same section of the state today, and as he looks back over the flight of years he sees remarkable changes and in each can point to the work he has accomplished in developing his county and community. He is one of the remarkable characters of his section of the state. He is essentially a product of pioneer days. His personality is rugged and wholesome, and his part in life has been played with fearlessness and honesty. He is one of three survivors of a family of twelve children born to his parents. His birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, on October 3. 1822. His parents were Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. His father was a farmer who braved the Ohio wilderness in the days soon after the war for Independence and made a home in the trackless forests. He lived in the state of his adoption until his death in 1877.
Daniel Weldy came to Adams county in 1845. He secured land in Kirkland township when that section of the county was in a wild state. The eighty acres of land he purchased was in the woods and the hand of man had done nothing to make them productive. However, Daniel faced his future without faltering. He hewed logs and built a rude cabin and began to clear the land. At ihe time wild game abounded in the forests, and many birds and animals fell prey to his unerring rifle. He was a keen sportsman and his skill as a hunter was one of the points of his younger years in the state. Once established in his new home he began to contribute his full share to the development of the county. He was an active, wideawake man and knew what it meant to form a new country. The necessities of life were obtainable, but something more than the mere necessities were what the pioneer citizens had come for. Education was a necessity and he realized the great advantages that would come to future generations through this medium. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log schoolhouse in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. He served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his own township in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant. He was a trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years, a justice of the peace in the same township for eleven years, a member of the county commissioners for six years and a supervisor for a long term. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county. During all of these years he continued to live on his original farm. In all he spent fifty-seven years on his farm, and brought it to the very acme of fertility. He built comfortable and substantial buildings, drained the land thoroughly and has made of it one of the most valuable farms in the entire county.
Mr. Weldy was married to Miss Elizabeth Beery, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Miller) Beery. His wife's parents lived in Fairfield county, Ohio, and died there. Eleven children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Weldy. These are: Christian, Seth. William, Barbara, Sarah, Mary, Abraham, Rachael, Ellen, Daniel and Eli. In 1900 Mr. Weldy moved to Decatur and built a fine home on First street, where he still resides. He was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than eight hundred acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer he was a successful man. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than forty years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863.
Contributor: Karin King (47469179) • [email protected]
Monday, Sept. 20, 1915
PIONEER IS DEAD
Daniel Weldy, at the Age of Nearly Ninety-Three Years, Died Sunday
HAD BEEN FEEBLE
For Past Year - Was Prominent Farmer of Kirkland Township
Daniel Weldy, nearly ninety-three years of age, for more than seventy years a resident of Adams county, died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at his home on First street. Mr. Weldy had been in feeble health for the past year and for several months had been unable to be up all of the time, spending part of the time sitting in a chair and part in bed. He seemed to be suffering from no constitutional disease, but simply feeble from infirmities of age. Saturday night he did not feel like lying down until two o'clock, having sat in his chair until that time. He then went to bed and at six o'clock peacefully slept away. For several hours[sic], his son, William B. Weldy and family had resided with him and cared for him in his declining days.
The time that Mr. Weldy began life in this county, is recalled and remembered by very few living people today. He came here in 1845, when the county was young, and in looking back over its development, he could point to many changes wherein he had assisted in the accomplishment of the development of the county and community.
He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1822, being a son of Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. The son, Daniel, was one of twelve children born to his parents. He remained at home until fifteen years of age, when his mother died, and he was practically thrown on his own resources. He rented land from his uncle and raised and bought tobacco, which he shipped to Pittsburg, and the first $1,200 he made, he lost in tobacco in the Pittsburg fire of 1844.
He came to Adams county in the fall of 1845 and the following spring bought the farm where he lived until thirteen years ago, when he came to Decatur. The farm then contained eighty acres. There was on this land a rude log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, with puncheon floor and mud chimney, in which he lived about eight years, when he erected a frame house and frame barn. He occupied the frame dwelling until 1870, when he erected his present fine brick dwelling at a cost of about $4,000.
Mr. Weldy was twice married. He was married October 13, 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Beery, whose death occurred December 8, 1879. Of the eleven children born to them, five are living. They are Christian M. Weldy, William B. Weldy, Mrs. A. M. Fisher, Mrs. Noah Mangold, all of Decatur; Mrs. J. D. Gault of Peterson. Those deceased are Seth M., Abraham, Daniel, Mrs. Ella Ullery, Eli W. and Barbara Rinehart. He was again married August 22, 1880, to Mrs. Hester Blosser Beery, who is now deceased.
Mr. Weldy was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than 800 acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer, he was very successful. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses.
Mr. Weldy served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his township, in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant, being a Trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years; a justice of the peace for eleven years, and a member of the board of county commissioners for a long term. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log school house in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county.
Mr. Weldy was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifty-two years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge No. 167, in this city.
Besides the children named before, Mr. Weldy leaves thirty-three great-grandchildren, and thirty-one grandchildren.
Had Mr. Weldy lived but two weeks longer - until, Sunday, October 3 - he would have been ninety-three years of age. As usual, the annual family reunion would have been held at that time, the occasion marking his birth anniversary for many years.
The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon. There will be short services at the home on First street at three o'clock and at four o'clock there will be services at the Beery Antioch church west of the city. The Rev. Benjamin Borton will officiate.
**
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, p. 264 (image 541)
DANIEL WELDY.
In a time that is now recalled and remembered by few men living in Adams county today Daniel Weldy began life in the northeastern part of Indiana. He lives in the same section of the state today, and as he looks back over the flight of years he sees remarkable changes and in each can point to the work he has accomplished in developing his county and community. He is one of the remarkable characters of his section of the state. He is essentially a product of pioneer days. His personality is rugged and wholesome, and his part in life has been played with fearlessness and honesty. He is one of three survivors of a family of twelve children born to his parents. His birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, on October 3. 1822. His parents were Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. His father was a farmer who braved the Ohio wilderness in the days soon after the war for Independence and made a home in the trackless forests. He lived in the state of his adoption until his death in 1877.
Daniel Weldy came to Adams county in 1845. He secured land in Kirkland township when that section of the county was in a wild state. The eighty acres of land he purchased was in the woods and the hand of man had done nothing to make them productive. However, Daniel faced his future without faltering. He hewed logs and built a rude cabin and began to clear the land. At ihe time wild game abounded in the forests, and many birds and animals fell prey to his unerring rifle. He was a keen sportsman and his skill as a hunter was one of the points of his younger years in the state. Once established in his new home he began to contribute his full share to the development of the county. He was an active, wideawake man and knew what it meant to form a new country. The necessities of life were obtainable, but something more than the mere necessities were what the pioneer citizens had come for. Education was a necessity and he realized the great advantages that would come to future generations through this medium. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log schoolhouse in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. He served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his own township in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant. He was a trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years, a justice of the peace in the same township for eleven years, a member of the county commissioners for six years and a supervisor for a long term. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county. During all of these years he continued to live on his original farm. In all he spent fifty-seven years on his farm, and brought it to the very acme of fertility. He built comfortable and substantial buildings, drained the land thoroughly and has made of it one of the most valuable farms in the entire county.
Mr. Weldy was married to Miss Elizabeth Beery, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Miller) Beery. His wife's parents lived in Fairfield county, Ohio, and died there. Eleven children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Weldy. These are: Christian, Seth. William, Barbara, Sarah, Mary, Abraham, Rachael, Ellen, Daniel and Eli. In 1900 Mr. Weldy moved to Decatur and built a fine home on First street, where he still resides. He was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than eight hundred acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer he was a successful man. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than forty years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863.
Contributor: Karin King (47469179) • [email protected]
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana
Monday, Sept. 20, 1915
PIONEER IS DEAD
Daniel Weldy, at the Age of Nearly Ninety-Three Years, Died Sunday
HAD BEEN FEEBLE
For Past Year - Was Prominent Farmer of Kirkland Township
Daniel Weldy, nearly ninety-three years of age, for more than seventy years a resident of Adams county, died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at his home on First street. Mr. Weldy had been in feeble health for the past year and for several months had been unable to be up all of the time, spending part of the time sitting in a chair and part in bed. He seemed to be suffering from no constitutional disease, but simply feeble from infirmities of age. Saturday night he did not feel like lying down until two o'clock, having sat in his chair until that time. He then went to bed and at six o'clock peacefully slept away. For several hours[sic], his son, William B. Weldy and family had resided with him and cared for him in his declining days.
The time that Mr. Weldy began life in this county, is recalled and remembered by very few living people today. He came here in 1845, when the county was young, and in looking back over its development, he could point to many changes wherein he had assisted in the accomplishment of the development of the county and community.
He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1822, being a son of Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. The son, Daniel, was one of twelve children born to his parents. He remained at home until fifteen years of age, when his mother died, and he was practically thrown on his own resources. He rented land from his uncle and raised and bought tobacco, which he shipped to Pittsburg, and the first $1,200 he made, he lost in tobacco in the Pittsburg fire of 1844.
He came to Adams county in the fall of 1845 and the following spring bought the farm where he lived until thirteen years ago, when he came to Decatur. The farm then contained eighty acres. There was on this land a rude log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, with puncheon floor and mud chimney, in which he lived about eight years, when he erected a frame house and frame barn. He occupied the frame dwelling until 1870, when he erected his present fine brick dwelling at a cost of about $4,000.
Mr. Weldy was twice married. He was married October 13, 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Beery, whose death occurred December 8, 1879. Of the eleven children born to them, five are living. They are Christian M. Weldy, William B. Weldy, Mrs. A. M. Fisher, Mrs. Noah Mangold, all of Decatur; Mrs. J. D. Gault of Peterson. Those deceased are Seth M., Abraham, Daniel, Mrs. Ella Ullery, Eli W. and Barbara Rinehart. He was again married August 22, 1880, to Mrs. Hester Blosser Beery, who is now deceased.
Mr. Weldy was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than 800 acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer, he was very successful. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses.
Mr. Weldy served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his township, in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant, being a Trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years; a justice of the peace for eleven years, and a member of the board of county commissioners for a long term. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log school house in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county.
Mr. Weldy was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifty-two years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge No. 167, in this city.
Besides the children named before, Mr. Weldy leaves thirty-three great-grandchildren, and thirty-one grandchildren.
Had Mr. Weldy lived but two weeks longer - until, Sunday, October 3 - he would have been ninety-three years of age. As usual, the annual family reunion would have been held at that time, the occasion marking his birth anniversary for many years.
The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon. There will be short services at the home on First street at three o'clock and at four o'clock there will be services at the Beery Antioch church west of the city. The Rev. Benjamin Borton will officiate.
**
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, p. 264 (image 541)
DANIEL WELDY.
In a time that is now recalled and remembered by few men living in Adams county today Daniel Weldy began life in the northeastern part of Indiana. He lives in the same section of the state today, and as he looks back over the flight of years he sees remarkable changes and in each can point to the work he has accomplished in developing his county and community. He is one of the remarkable characters of his section of the state. He is essentially a product of pioneer days. His personality is rugged and wholesome, and his part in life has been played with fearlessness and honesty. He is one of three survivors of a family of twelve children born to his parents. His birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, on October 3. 1822. His parents were Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. His father was a farmer who braved the Ohio wilderness in the days soon after the war for Independence and made a home in the trackless forests. He lived in the state of his adoption until his death in 1877.
Daniel Weldy came to Adams county in 1845. He secured land in Kirkland township when that section of the county was in a wild state. The eighty acres of land he purchased was in the woods and the hand of man had done nothing to make them productive. However, Daniel faced his future without faltering. He hewed logs and built a rude cabin and began to clear the land. At ihe time wild game abounded in the forests, and many birds and animals fell prey to his unerring rifle. He was a keen sportsman and his skill as a hunter was one of the points of his younger years in the state. Once established in his new home he began to contribute his full share to the development of the county. He was an active, wideawake man and knew what it meant to form a new country. The necessities of life were obtainable, but something more than the mere necessities were what the pioneer citizens had come for. Education was a necessity and he realized the great advantages that would come to future generations through this medium. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log schoolhouse in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. He served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his own township in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant. He was a trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years, a justice of the peace in the same township for eleven years, a member of the county commissioners for six years and a supervisor for a long term. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county. During all of these years he continued to live on his original farm. In all he spent fifty-seven years on his farm, and brought it to the very acme of fertility. He built comfortable and substantial buildings, drained the land thoroughly and has made of it one of the most valuable farms in the entire county.
Mr. Weldy was married to Miss Elizabeth Beery, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Miller) Beery. His wife's parents lived in Fairfield county, Ohio, and died there. Eleven children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Weldy. These are: Christian, Seth. William, Barbara, Sarah, Mary, Abraham, Rachael, Ellen, Daniel and Eli. In 1900 Mr. Weldy moved to Decatur and built a fine home on First street, where he still resides. He was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than eight hundred acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer he was a successful man. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than forty years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863.
Contributor: Karin King (47469179) • [email protected]
Monday, Sept. 20, 1915
PIONEER IS DEAD
Daniel Weldy, at the Age of Nearly Ninety-Three Years, Died Sunday
HAD BEEN FEEBLE
For Past Year - Was Prominent Farmer of Kirkland Township
Daniel Weldy, nearly ninety-three years of age, for more than seventy years a resident of Adams county, died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at his home on First street. Mr. Weldy had been in feeble health for the past year and for several months had been unable to be up all of the time, spending part of the time sitting in a chair and part in bed. He seemed to be suffering from no constitutional disease, but simply feeble from infirmities of age. Saturday night he did not feel like lying down until two o'clock, having sat in his chair until that time. He then went to bed and at six o'clock peacefully slept away. For several hours[sic], his son, William B. Weldy and family had resided with him and cared for him in his declining days.
The time that Mr. Weldy began life in this county, is recalled and remembered by very few living people today. He came here in 1845, when the county was young, and in looking back over its development, he could point to many changes wherein he had assisted in the accomplishment of the development of the county and community.
He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1822, being a son of Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. The son, Daniel, was one of twelve children born to his parents. He remained at home until fifteen years of age, when his mother died, and he was practically thrown on his own resources. He rented land from his uncle and raised and bought tobacco, which he shipped to Pittsburg, and the first $1,200 he made, he lost in tobacco in the Pittsburg fire of 1844.
He came to Adams county in the fall of 1845 and the following spring bought the farm where he lived until thirteen years ago, when he came to Decatur. The farm then contained eighty acres. There was on this land a rude log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, with puncheon floor and mud chimney, in which he lived about eight years, when he erected a frame house and frame barn. He occupied the frame dwelling until 1870, when he erected his present fine brick dwelling at a cost of about $4,000.
Mr. Weldy was twice married. He was married October 13, 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Beery, whose death occurred December 8, 1879. Of the eleven children born to them, five are living. They are Christian M. Weldy, William B. Weldy, Mrs. A. M. Fisher, Mrs. Noah Mangold, all of Decatur; Mrs. J. D. Gault of Peterson. Those deceased are Seth M., Abraham, Daniel, Mrs. Ella Ullery, Eli W. and Barbara Rinehart. He was again married August 22, 1880, to Mrs. Hester Blosser Beery, who is now deceased.
Mr. Weldy was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than 800 acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer, he was very successful. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses.
Mr. Weldy served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his township, in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant, being a Trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years; a justice of the peace for eleven years, and a member of the board of county commissioners for a long term. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log school house in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county.
Mr. Weldy was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifty-two years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge No. 167, in this city.
Besides the children named before, Mr. Weldy leaves thirty-three great-grandchildren, and thirty-one grandchildren.
Had Mr. Weldy lived but two weeks longer - until, Sunday, October 3 - he would have been ninety-three years of age. As usual, the annual family reunion would have been held at that time, the occasion marking his birth anniversary for many years.
The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon. There will be short services at the home on First street at three o'clock and at four o'clock there will be services at the Beery Antioch church west of the city. The Rev. Benjamin Borton will officiate.
**
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, p. 264 (image 541)
DANIEL WELDY.
In a time that is now recalled and remembered by few men living in Adams county today Daniel Weldy began life in the northeastern part of Indiana. He lives in the same section of the state today, and as he looks back over the flight of years he sees remarkable changes and in each can point to the work he has accomplished in developing his county and community. He is one of the remarkable characters of his section of the state. He is essentially a product of pioneer days. His personality is rugged and wholesome, and his part in life has been played with fearlessness and honesty. He is one of three survivors of a family of twelve children born to his parents. His birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, on October 3. 1822. His parents were Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. His father was a farmer who braved the Ohio wilderness in the days soon after the war for Independence and made a home in the trackless forests. He lived in the state of his adoption until his death in 1877.
Daniel Weldy came to Adams county in 1845. He secured land in Kirkland township when that section of the county was in a wild state. The eighty acres of land he purchased was in the woods and the hand of man had done nothing to make them productive. However, Daniel faced his future without faltering. He hewed logs and built a rude cabin and began to clear the land. At ihe time wild game abounded in the forests, and many birds and animals fell prey to his unerring rifle. He was a keen sportsman and his skill as a hunter was one of the points of his younger years in the state. Once established in his new home he began to contribute his full share to the development of the county. He was an active, wideawake man and knew what it meant to form a new country. The necessities of life were obtainable, but something more than the mere necessities were what the pioneer citizens had come for. Education was a necessity and he realized the great advantages that would come to future generations through this medium. As trustee of Kirkland township he erected the first log schoolhouse in that township and in his long and useful life he was foremost in promoting educational facilities. He served his fellow citizens of Adams county and of his own township in a number of public capacities. He was a trusted public servant. He was a trustee of Kirkland township for fifteen years, a justice of the peace in the same township for eleven years, a member of the county commissioners for six years and a supervisor for a long term. During his incumbency of these offices he built school houses, pikes, and in many other ways contributed substantially to the improvement and development of the county. During all of these years he continued to live on his original farm. In all he spent fifty-seven years on his farm, and brought it to the very acme of fertility. He built comfortable and substantial buildings, drained the land thoroughly and has made of it one of the most valuable farms in the entire county.
Mr. Weldy was married to Miss Elizabeth Beery, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Miller) Beery. His wife's parents lived in Fairfield county, Ohio, and died there. Eleven children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Weldy. These are: Christian, Seth. William, Barbara, Sarah, Mary, Abraham, Rachael, Ellen, Daniel and Eli. In 1900 Mr. Weldy moved to Decatur and built a fine home on First street, where he still resides. He was at one time one of the largest land owners in Adams county, possessing more than eight hundred acres, located in three townships. He sold this land later. As a farmer he was a successful man. He raised much valuable stock, making a specialty of Berkshire and Poland China hogs and general purpose horses. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than forty years, becoming a member of this fraternity in 1863.
Contributor: Karin King (47469179) • [email protected]
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