Welty, Benjamin Franklin (1868-1925)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1925 Oct 22 p. 7

Birth date: 1868 Jun 13

text of obituary:

Welty. -- Der Tod von Bruder B. F. Welty wurde schon früher erwähnt, auf Wunsch bringen wir hier etwas verspätet die näheren Nachrichten über ihn.

Br. Benjamin Frank Welty war geboren in Wayne Co., Ohio, am 13. Juni 1868, und starb in Tacoma, Washington, im Alter von 56 Jahren, 10 Monaten und einen Tag. Er war der Sohn von Christian und Elizabeth Welty. Im Jahre 1869 zogen seine Eltern nach Missouri. Sein Vater starb 1886. Die Familie zog dann nach Berne, Indiana. Hier wurde er mit 50 anderen getauft und in die Mennonitengemeinde aufgenommen. In Wooster College studierte er unter Prof. Karl Merz Musik. 1893 wurde er Musiklehrer in Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, und behielt immer ein warmes Herz für diese Schule. 1900 ging er nach Europa um weiter Musik zu studieren. Dann lehrte er wieder in Bethel College und verheiratete sich mit Fräulein Clara Rupp von Moundridge, Kansas. 1906 reisten die Geschwister wieder nach Deutschland und studierten in Dresden Musik. Er lehrte wieder in Bethel, bis seine angegriffene Gesundheit einen Klimawechsel notwendig machte. Sie zogen nach Tacoma, Washington. Dort gab er Musikunterricht und spielte die Orgel in einer großen Presbyterianerkirche. Seine Frau starb hier. Er starb an den Folgen einer Operation. Es überleben ihn ein Pflegesohn, eine Schwester, zwei Halbbrüder und zwei Halbschwestern.

Er hatte zugesagt zum 25jährigen Jubiläum des Oratorienvereins in Bethel College, den er gegründet hatte, zu erscheinen und Anteil zu nehmen.

Br. Welty schenkte Bethel College ein Haus auf dem Kampus; er vermachte ihm sein Piano und seine Bibliothek. Der Behörde für Aeußere Mission vermachte er ein Drittel seines Vermögens nach Abzug von Legaten, der Behörde für Innere Mission ein Sechstel, ein Sechstel der Mission der Presbyterianerkirche, ein Drittel seinen und seiner Frau Geschwistern. Das seinem Pflegesohn hinterlassene Kapital fällt falls dieser die Bedingungen des Testamentes nicht erfüllt halb Bethel College, halb Bluffton College zu. So zeigte Br. Welty sein andauerndes Interesse für unsere Gemeinschaft.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1925 May 5 p. 5

The same text appeared in the Evening Kansan-Republican: 1925 Apr 21 p. 6 (the Bethel Collegian page)

text of obituary:

An Appreciation

Prof. B. F. Welty _____

Five days ago the postman brought us the last of his welcome letters. He wrote in part: “My health in general, is somewhat better, at least I feel more ambition and pleasure in my work. Regarding the impending operation, the doctor says it is bound to come some time and very strongly advises it at an early date; so I have made arrangements to go the hospital next Monday morning. Will you think of me at this time?”

“It is rather a peculiar sensation, but we have the assurance of His presence and His ways are ways of pleasantness.”

“If all goes well I hope to start east on May 22nd . . . . .

“Hoping to see you in May or June, I am your friend, B. F. Welty.”

Yesterday brought us a card written by the nurse, at his request, saying: “He came through the operation just fine. His condition good. Everything going very nicely so far.”

Today there appeared at our door a messenger with a bit of yellow paper with the few but eventful words: “Professor Welty passed away.”

Unassuming and friendly, he passed his years upon earth, rendering invaluable service to many. His high ideals added much to the value of his ability as a musician and the worth of his personal touches as a helper and friend cannot be fully estimated.

When ill health compelled him to leave his work at Bethel College, he could not understand why he was not permitted to continue his labors where he had hoped to spend his life, and he never forgot Bethel College. This is shown by his gifts, and especially through the encouragement he gave those who worked for Bethel’s welfare. He maintained an active interest in Bethel’s progress to the end, and frequently made inquiries. His interest was broad and far-sighted, the kind which lifts up hands which have become weary and which fires a drooping spirit with new hope and enthusiasm.

For a number of years he had faced the possibilities of his departure at more and more frequent intervals. He was never morbid about it, however. To him death was but an incident in life as a whole. His interests in the present portion of life were deep and absorbing; those in the future and greater portion were expectant and hopeful.

One wonders just a bit why he could not been spared long enough to be at Bethel once more in June. He appreciated the invitation to return for the proposed concert very much. It was the kind of recognition of which he was thoroughly worthy and his presence and his service at commencement time would have been a great inspiration. However, while we regret that we have been denied the pleasure and the profit which we would have derived from another meeting with him, we are grateful for the fact that Bethel College has been enriched by the friendship of a man like Professor Welty.

J. H. Langenwalter

Dr. Langenwalter has expressed our feelings. We cannot say what we feel. To have lost such a valuable friend is indeed a loss but we do not wish to begrudge him the great reward he has reaped and the rest he has so faithfully earned. Bethel mourns the loss of her dear friend, Prof. B.F. Welty.

---

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1925 Apr 18 p. 2

Text of obituary:

Prof. B. F. Welty.

Prof. B. F. Welty, for several years head of the music department at Bethel College, and active in musical circles in Newton, died Friday at Tacoma, Wash., following an operation, according to word that reached acquaintances in this city today.

Professor Welty, who was an organist of considerable talent, had planned to visit Bethel College during commencement week and to give a recital at that time. During commencement week will be given the oratorio which was first given at the college 25 years ago under the directorship of Professor Welty.

---

The Mennonite obituary: 1925 Oct 29 p. 7

---

Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1925 May p. 4

---

Mennonite Year Book and Almanac obituary: 1926 p. 39

Text of obituary:

B. F. WELTY

Bro. Benjamin Frank Welty was born June 13, 1868, in Wayne county, Ohio, and died in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 56 years, 10 months and one day. He was a son of Christian and Elizabeth Welty. In the year 1869 his parents moved to Missouri. His father died in the year 1886. The family moved to Berne, Indiana. In the same year he and fifty others were baptized and united with the Mennonite church of Berne.

He entered Wooster College at Wooster, O., where he studied music under Prof. Carl Merz. In 1893 he accepted the position of instructor of music at Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, and in 1900 he was given a leave of absence to go to Germany to continue his studies. In the following year he returned to Bethel College and was married to Miss Clara Rupp of Moundridge, Kansas. In 1906 they went to Germany and studied music in Dresden. In 1907 they returned and he taught music in Bethel College until his health began to fail, necessitating a change of climate. They chose Tacoma, Washington, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Welty died several years ago.

Besides giving music lessons he played the organ in a large Presbyterian church. He died after an operation. He leaves an adopted son, a sister, two half brothers and two half-sisters.

Bro. Welty had promised to attend the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Bethel College Oratorical Society, of which he was the founder, and to take part in the program.

Bro. Welty lately gave a house to Bethel College and willed to it his piano and his library. He willed to the foreign mission of the Mennonite church one-third of his property, after some legacies had been paid. To the Home Mission he willed one-sixth, one-sixth to the board of foreign mission of the Presbyterian church, one-third to his and his wife's brothers and sisters. The capital which he willed to his adopted son, in case he comes up to the conditions, shall if he does not comply with it fall half to Bethel and half to Bluffton College. So Bro. Welty showed his unabated interest in our denomination and its activities.

On April seventeenth, nineteen twenty-five
A man from earth who lived a holy life
Was welcomed home by all the heavenly host;
Is with his Savior whom he loved the most,
He served Him here with patience and in love,
Is now receiving his reward above.

To part from this kind friend brings to us sorrow,
Yet we rejoice for we shall meet tomorrow,
For, whom our Savior calls He justifies
And whom He justifies, He glorifies
And brings them to the Father's throne of grace,
There to behold their Savior, face to face.

And while our hearts are bleeding, we rejoice.
(Although grim reaper came and stilled his voice.)
That his example lives, is with us still,
Helps to do our heavenly Father's will,
Helps us each day our cares and burdens bear
Until we shall with him his glory share.

—In memory of B. F. Welty.

J. D. Moser