Luella 'Lulu' Welch

Parents: Jacob Welch and Laura Adeline Clear

Notes: Lulu was the first of her siblings to marry. The 1910 Federal Census shows Lulu's brother, Thomas Perry, living with her and Colonel Harshman on Plum Street in Union, City, Indiana. Lulu was baptized on April 9, 1941, at the Church of the Open Door, an interdenominational Evangelical Church  located  on Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles, California

See Welch Family Photo Album

Page from Lulu's Diary - June 1963: "In reverie today, I see an old-fashioned farm house on a hill in old Indiana. On every side were fields of grain, pretty green meadows and orchards all gay with pink and white blooms just like a beautiful bride.

The dear old home was filled with happy childhood voices that sorrow had not even touched. In those long-ago childhood days, death and sorrows seemed so far away.  Today, death has already laid his very cold touch upon several of that happy throng. Mother (Laura Adeline Clear Welch), with her sweet brown eyes all love lighted has been gone too many years, and our dear father (Jacob Welch) too has been gone many years and dear old father (William Welch) too has been gone such a long time. 

To this old homestead came Colonel Harshman a courting in the long ago days when we were still school children. He was so quiet and dignified and me so giddy and full of fun. He often said the first night he met me that I would be his for life. So it was for more than 55 years.

Oh, how different life was in those days. The sweet fellowship of neighbors and friends and how dear our relatives were visiting and helping in time of sorrow. Such a quiet life with no diversions as today's demanding life. It was so peaceful in the long-ago days. Time to be still and worship God and think on His world.

I have pictures on memories wall that are wonderful. My dear old grandmothers (Elizabeth Whitesel Welch and Mary Rebecca Root Clear) in their easy chairs with the Bible from which they drew their strength and directions for a spiritual life. It was a happy time when grandma came to our house. These grandmas were so welcome and each family was envious of me.

The old home where I saw the light of this world first was also where my father (Jacob Welch) was born and his father (William Welch). My grandfather (William) spent his childhood there. My great grandfather (Thomas Welch) bought it from the government when he came from the East (Ohio) as a young man. On each side of the old farm of ours was the homestead of my great grandfathers on both sides (Thomas Welch & Whitesel). The Whitesel's, Root's, and Welch's - all seemed to be prosperous for those days. My grandmother Root was an adventurous little lady, weighing only 100 lbs, she would ride her horses all over the countryside side-saddle. My mother said it was a gay day when she came to visit bringing all good things to eat.

My grandfather Welch (William) died from a wounded knee. My father (Jacob) was with him and they had a woods of Maple trees which they were tapping for sugarwater to make Maple syrup and he cut his leg accidentally. It was a small cut in his knee and he was sick for 8 months before he died from this hurt."

Obituary: Mrs. Lulu Harshman, 85, who came to Glendale in 1920 from Muncie, Indiana, died Saturday at her home. She was the mother of W. Meredith and L. Harshman, both of Glendale and the widow of the late Col. A. Harshman. Services will be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Peace Chapel, Kiefer & Eyerick Mortuary. The officiant will be Rev. Ralph C. Scoville. Interment will be at Grand View Memorial Park. Mrs. Harshman, Indianan was born in Union City, Indiana, and resided many years in Glendale, living recently at 4255 York Blvd, Los Angeles. Death came after a short illness. Besides two sons, she leaves three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. - Glendale News-Press Monday May 25, 1964 Pg 3A Col. 4.

Death recorded by the State of California, Registrar 107710, State File #72463

Colonel Andrew Harshman

B: February 1, 1876 Union City, Indiana
M: February 10, 1900 Union City, Ohio
D: March 14, 1955 Glendale, California
Buried: Mar 17, 1955, Grand View Memorial Park, Glendale, California (See Tombstone)

Parents: Isaac Harshman and Jemima Hinkle

Notes: Colonel is his real name, and not a title. Colonel was in the Union City High School graduating class of 1896. There were 14 students graduating. Mrs. Susan Patterson was the Superintendent. Colonel's occupation in 1900 was as a Teacher in a Public School. He was also in the insurance business. His residence with Lulu was 1910 Plum Street, Union City, Indiana.

Memory: Colonel, Lulu and Meredith Harshman would go out for Saturday evening dinner at Sharps resturant on Brand Boulevard in Glendale, California. All the waitresses knew the Harshman's because they frequented the resturant every Saturday evening after Meredith had waxed the black Plymouth to a brilliant shine. Meredith spent alot of time detailing the car - he was proud of his work. Meredith "chaffeured" his parents to the resturant. After the meal they would sit in the car, and watch people walk by. They enjoyed this pastime during the warm Southern California evenings. (As told by Delight Morefield)

Special thanks to Karen Welch for providing all of the information on this page!
Karen may be reached at tcw26@cox.net