Obituaries (January 30)

Benjamin Welch, Jr.

Chenango American, April 23, 1863

Benjamin Welch, Jr., was born at Kingston, Ulster County, N.Y., in December 1818 where he passed his youthful years.  In 1837 his father removed to Oxford, Chenango County accompanied by all his family save the subject of this sketch.  At the time of the father's removal to Oxford the General was a clerk in the city of New York, where he remained until some time in the year 1839, when he repaired to Canandaigua to aid a friend in closing business, which, after the lapse of a few months, being accomplished, he joined his family at Oxford.  Very soon after Mr. Welch arrived at Oxford he entered the office of Henry R. Mygatt, Esq., to aid Mr. Mygatt as a clerk or copyist. While thus engaged, and but a brief time having passed thus employed, the editor and proprietor of the Oxford Republicn, an old established and influential paper, failed, and the friends and patrons of that paper, and the active and influential men of the Democratic party, observing and appreciating the ability, capacity and fitness of Mr. Welch for the place, urged him to become its editor and proprietor. With much diffidence as to his own ability and fitness he yielded to the solicitations of friends, and in January, 1841, entered upon the duties of an editor, and issued a paper styled the Oxford Republican and Chenango County Democrat.  Mr. Welch was but little more than twenty-two years of age when he thus took upon himself the delicate and responsible duties of a party editor, yet he more than realized the sanguine expectations of his friends and advisers, and continued for about one and a half years to conduct the paper with a tact, energy and ability far beyond his years, and with the approval of his party and a discriminating public.

In October, 1843, Mr. Welch removed to Utica [Oneida Co., NY] and became the editor of the Utica Democrat.  The greater responsibility thrust upon him by his wider sphere and more extended field of action was promptly met by him with an energy and capacity which developed itself as labor increased, and though still but a mere youth, he by his own unaided efforts soon won his way to, and took a position among the leading men of his party in Central New York.  Immediately after his arrival at Utica he became a student at law in the office of the late Charles A. Mann, Esq., whose friendship he early gained, and he continued while at Utica to pursue his career as a student while he plied diligently and with telling effect the pen editorial.  He was never, however, admitted to the bar.

It was while in charge of the Democrat that divisions and dissensions arose in the Democratic party, and Mr. Welch espoused with all the enthusiasm of his nature the radical cause. Amid those dissension and divisions he was a prominent actor, attending the various conventions which were held by the portion of the party to whose interest and policy he was devotedly attached; and in the fall of 1847, and about the period of the celebrated Herkimer Convention, he received and accepted a proposition to unite with another in the publication of the Buffalo Republic, and immediately thereafter took up his residence in that city.  His connection with the Republic was at this time very short, terminating in the spring of 1848.  Mr. Welch was in the canvas of 1848, an ardent, honest and able supporter of Mr. Van Buren, and with stern convictions of duty and conscientious regard for the best interests of his country sustained the principle upon which Mr Van Buren was nominated and the platform upon which he was run, readily, heartily and vigorously.

In 1851 Mr. Welch was nominated for State Treasurer by the Democratic party, and elected to that office.  In his management of this important branch of our State Government he displayed that stern, unyielding integrity which had ever characterized his life, and brought to its administration that energy and capacity which ever rising with the circumstances surrounding him, and developing themselves as he advanced, made him ever and always equal to the occasion.  In March, 1858, he again took an interest in the Buffalo Republic, and became its editor.  He continued in this position until 1859.

Those who knew the innate honesty and integrity of Mr. Welch, and his fixedness of purpose, could not have been surprised when, in 1856, discarding the party name under which he had previously been proud to rally and to act, he was found battling manfully as he believed for the principles of the Democratic party as handed down to him by the fathers, in which he had been taught and educated, and to which he lent his support in the campaign of 1848.  Upon these principals he ever acted, in this political faith he lived, and he died adhering thereto.

In 1859 he was appointed by Gov. Morgan, Commissary General of this State.  He found this department in a very loose and disordered condition, and immediately commenced a laborious and successful effort to bring order and system out of chaos and confusion.  Labor and toil incessant have been the characteristics of the office since he assumed its duties and direction.  The Rebellion found the military resources of the Empire State upon a strict peace and not war footing, and to meet the urgent demands of the General Government, and the responsibilities resting upon her in the great and terrible emergency, the labors of this important branch of the State Government were constant and onerous and talent and capacity of a high order were required to manage its affairs. These requirements were fully met and answered.; the necessities of the service were by him as fully complied with as under the circumstances it was possible, and toiling on early and late he again evinced the traits of no ordinary man by rising fully to the comprehension of the duties of his position and the necessities of the hour.

The arrangement of his department being reduced to a system, his ardent patriotism and unswerving loyalty prompted him to accept a post upon the staff of Gen. Pope with the rank of Colonel, tendered him by that officer in the summer 1862, still at the earnest request of Gov. Morgan, retaining his position as Commissary General.  No piping loyalty, no sentimental patriotism found a lodgement in his breast, but relinquishing the labors of his then position, although still bearing its responsibilities, he at the call of his country, exchanged those labors for the still more incessant labor and exhausting fatigues of the camp, and active service. Despising and abhorring that system of peculation which sometimes leads men to prey upon the public Treasury without any excuse or palliation therefore, he received during his services in the army only the pay to which his rank therein entitled him, and declined to accept any pay from the State as Commissary General, though responsible for the fidelity with which its trusts were discharged.

It was while serving in the disastrous campaign of Gen. Pope in Virginia, and in undergoing sufferings and hardships which might have been averted, that Mr. Welch contracted disease which terminated in his early and lamented death.  He returned from that campaign in September last, and was soon prostrated by a severe and almost immediately fatal attack of fever, from which he did not recover sufficiently to attend to any duties for more than three months.  So violent was his disease that with his frame somewhat enfeebled by constant and wearing toil, and his constitution shattered by exposure and sufferings, he gradually declined until the flickering light of life went out forever.  He died at Clifton Springs [Ontario Co., NY] on the 14th inst., whiter he had gone, hoping the medicinal effects of the water might resuscitate and revivify the decaying embers of life; but alas, "death loves a shining mark."  His last moments were calm and peaceful, and he expressed a willingness to be taken hence.

Mr. Welch wielded a reedy and vigorous pen, and while he wrote with pungency, maintained controversy with great ability and shrewdness, and was many times sharp and caustic in the expression of his views, and in the maintenance of his principles, his amiability, good nature and courtesy prevented his giving away to bitterness.  As an antagonist in disputation he was formidable, yet courteous.  He was true, sincere and unwavering in his friendships; affectionate and devoted in the family circle; an ornament to society; a good citizen; an upright and faithful public officer; an honest man.  His best eulogy will be found in the love of his relatives and the high esteem of those who shared his friendship.  He was buried at Greene [Sylvan Law Cemetery] on the 17th inst., his remains attended to their last earthly resting place by a large and deeply afflicted circle of relatives and friends, and his body committed to the silence of the tomb under the solemn and impressive services of the episcopal Church--"Earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes to ashes, waiting for the general Resurrection of the last day."

Death Notices

Chenango American, April 30, 1863

On the battle field, from wounds received in the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 15th, 1862, Charles H. Sweet, a member of Co. E. Bucktail Regiment, Penn. Volunteers, and son of C.R. Sweet, of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], aged 25 years.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 23d inst., Julia M. [Vanderburgh], wife of Hon. Charles e. Vanderburgh, and youngest daughter of William Mygatt, Esq., of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult., Mrs. Sarah Chruch Gibson, wife of S.C. Gibson, M.D., aged 30 years, 10 months and 11 days.

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., of scarlet fever, Emma Louisa [Baker], daughter of John B. and Betsey C.F. Baker, aged 4 years and 5 months.

Chenango American, May 28, 1863

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., George C. [Wheeler], son of Mr. Charles A. and Permelia Wheeler, aged 5 years, 1 month and 17 days.

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 25th inst., Mr. Clark Driscall, aged 69 years and 10 months.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th inst., Harriet R. [Knickerbocker] aged 10 years and 2 days.

In Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], on the 23d inst., Mr. Clinton I. Babcock of the 9th Reg. N.Y.V. (Hawkins Zouaves) aged 22 years.

In Triangle [Broome Co., NY], on the 10th inst., Verranus W. [Ticknor], son of Lewis and Marietta Ticknor, aged 18 years.

In German [Chenango Co., NY], March 30th, Caroline [Livermore], wife of Charles O. Livermore, and eldest daughter of Hon. Adam Storing, aged 39 years.

We gather wounded in the 114th 

Chenango American, May 7, 1863

From the list of wounded in the late battles in Louisiana the following names of those belonging to the 114th Regiment who were injured:
George Ballou (Acting Lieutenant of Company B), wounded in the knee.
Isaac O'Dell, Co. D, in thumb.  He belongs in Georgetown, Madison County.
Wm. H. Roberts, Co. D, in the head, fatally.
A.N. Wheelock, Co. H, neck, slightly.  Belongs in Madison County.
George S. Peck, Co. A, in the head, slightly.  Belongs in German.
Dwight F. Tayler, Co. H, head, slightly.  Belongs in Madison County.
Wm. F. Weston, Co. B, chest and side.  Belongs in Otsego County.
Colonel Tyler, Co. B, in side.  Belongs in Otsego County.
Corporal Frank W. Fish, Co. B, in shoulder.