Welch, Myron and Emma (Klegseth)

(Barry M. Dahl)

Left to right: Marion, Donald, Emma and Myron Welch.

Myron Emmerson Welch was born 25 Jan 1899 at the home of his parents David and Jennie (Allen) Welch. Their farm was located in Section 35, Newburg Twp., near the lowa-Minnesota state line. Myron was the second born of 3 children: he had an older sister Eva who died in infancy and a younger sister Evelyn born in 1905. Myron grew to manhood on his father’s farm attending school in Mabel, MN. He recalls that in his youth he would run to Mabel to see the steam locomotives pass through town. He was a driver for one of the local doctors and tells of the difficulties getting around the country in the winter and the unreliability of the horse power of those days. He was an avid horse trader, and I believe horses were on his farm until he retired and moved into Mabel in the late 50’s. It was rumored that he did his share to alleviate the dryness of the county during the prohibition years.

On 14 Feb 1923 he married Emma B. Klegseth in Decorah, IA. On that Valentine’s Day in 1923 he recalls that the snow was so deep that they could take their sleigh and horses cross country and used the tops of fence posts to guide their way. Emma was born 10 Sep 1900 at the home of her parents, Esten and Berit (Aasum) Klegseth, southeast of Hesper, IA. Emma was raised there and attended the Rotvold school in her youth. Myron and Emma rented when they started farming, the Eddy Halvorsen farm south of Hesper first, then the J. B. Harkness farm northeast of Mabel. Myron bought his parents' farm after his father died 28 Jun 1939.

Myron and Emma had 3 children: Marion E. (b. 10 Sep 1923) married Carl Berner Dahl in 1941. They had 3 children: Sharon married Gary Vick; Barry married Gloria Soffa; and Dennis married Julie Johnson. Marion married a second time to Otto Bjergum and they had 3 children: Randy; Robert and Betty. Marion married a third time to Flavian Wisland and they had Scott and Mark. Marion died in May 1970 leaving 5 children under the age of 15. Baby Mark was adopted by Gary and Sharon Vick. Myron and Emma’s second child, Donald E.  married LaVonne Engebretson and they had 4 children: Clayton (1947-1968); Gregory (1950-1952); Todd; and Candice. Donald died in 1987 and is buried next to his parents, 2 sons and a sister in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. Myron and Emma had a daughter who died in infancy in 1930.

In his later years Myron purchased a private club in Prosper, MN naming it “The Prosper Social Club.” I believe he was in his mid 70’s by then. In 1976 Emma died and Myron always blamed it on the “Swine Flu" vaccination that was recommended for all the elderly at that time. Myron lived in his home in Mabel with his son Donald until he died in 1984. He is buried next to Emma in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.

To those that didn’t know Myron possibly they will recall him by his nick-name “Taffy"; they would remember him as the good-hearted person who would give them the shirt off his back if need be.

Weldon, Minnie (McMullen) Winter

(Alison McLain)

Minnie Emmaline McMullen was born 21 Feb 1895 in Everly, IA. She was the daughter of John T and Sarah Catherine (Coleman) McMullen. Minnie was baptized in the Advent Christian Church in Burr Oak, IA. Her sisters and brothers included twins John and Martha, William Adelbert “Del”, Mary (d. 1967), Sarah Catherine “Kate" (d. 1967) and Clara Mathilda. Martha died at the age of 2 and John at the age of 21. Mary married Clayton Reed; Kate married Lorenzo “Len” Morrison; Del married Mettie Groat; Clara never married.

Minnie went to rural Winneshiek Co. schools, Valders Institute in Decorah and also took some courses at Luther College to become a teacher. After that she taught many years in rural Winneshiek Co. schools.

On 5 Jun 1923 Minnie married William A. Winter at Walnut Street Baptist Parsonage in Waterloo, IA. On 6 Nov 1924 Minnie had her one and only child, Earl. William passed away Oct 1937. Then in Jun 1944 Minnie married James Weldon.

On 4 Mar 1995 Minnie passed away at her home in Burr Oak at the ripe old age of 100. She was the last living member of her generation. Minnie was the granddaughter of Robert and Martha (Tynham) McMullen who settled in Canoe Township in 1852.

On 5 Aug 1948 Minnie’s son, Earl, married Barbara A. Falck. Earl and Barbara farm near Burr Oak. Earl served on the North Winneshiek School Board for several years. Earl and Barbara have 2 daughters, Catherine and Ellen.

Catherine married James G. McLain 7 Sep 1968 at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church. James served in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He also served on the North Winneshiek School Board and is still a member of the Winneshiek Coop Board. James now works for the US Postal Service and farms with his brother, William, in Canoe Twp. Catherine and James have 4 children: Michelle D., James G. II, and twins Vanessa L. and Alison L..