Daily Press
February 8, 1927
Postmaster C. E. Welsh dies in Phoebus home
End came yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock from pneumonia, which developed from fall last Friday
Charles Edward Welsh, postmaster and leading citizen of Phoebus, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock at his home, 18 Willard Avenue, following an illness of three days, which resulted from a fall from the postoffice building on last Friday afternoon.
Announcement of the sudden death of Mr. Welsh came as a shock to his family and friends and created the most profound sympathy over the entire lower peninsula, as well as in Phoebus, due to his wide popularity as a citizen and an official of the government.
Mr. Welsh was looking after some painting on the roof of the postoffice Friday afternoon, when he slipped and fell to the ground. He sustained a broken ankle and wrenched his back severely, but at that time his injuries were not considered as serious, although they were recognized as being extremely painful. Sunday morning pneumonia developed and early yesterday his condition became alarming to his friends and the members of his family.
Arrangements for the funeral services, which will be in charge of Monitor Lodge, No. 197, AF&AM, had not been completed last night pending the arrival of his sisters and brother here this morning.
Mr. Welsh, who was 60 years of age, was born at Old Point and was the son of the late Sergeant Welsh. When he was quite a boy his father removed to Phoebus and Mr. Welsh had since made his home in that city. He attended school at Fort Monroe and also the local schools. Mr. Welsh had served 24 years as postmaster of Phoebus, having received his first appointment from the late President Roosevelt. He was reappointed by each succeeding presidnet until President Woodrow Wilson’s election, when he was relieved by the selection of a Democrat. Presidnet Harding reappointed Mr. Welsh to the office and President Coolidge has twice reappointed him, thus giving him practically 34 years as postmaster. He was considered one of the most capable postmasters in the state and teh Phoebus office had grown with each year under him. Mr. Welsh took interest in seeing that the patrons of the office received every advantage in mail facilities and was an indefatigable worker for the advancement of the town and the postoffice work in the place. He was a leader in the Republican circles of Virginia, being held in the highest esteem by the party leaders and being recognized by them as a man of sterling character and worth.
Aside from his duties as postmaster, Mr. Welsh found time to assist in every movement looking to the advancement of Phoebus and teh lower end of the peninsula. He was a man of affable, genial manners, a delightful companion and a staunch friend to those he numbered among his acquaintances. It has been said.
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Daily Press
February 9, 1927
Funeral Charles Edward Welch this afternoon
Services for late postmaster in Phoebus will take place from Emmanuel Episcopal church today
The funeral of the late Postmaster Charles Edward Welch who died in his home, 18 Willard Avenue, Phoebus, Monday afternoon will take place from Emmanuel Episcopal church this afternoon at 3 o’clock. The services will be in charge of Monitor Lodge No. 197, AF&AM, and the Rev. Arthur Machen Lewis, rector of Emmanuel will conduct the simple rites of the Episcopal church. Interment will be made in St. John’s cemetery.
Monitor Lodge No. 197, AF&AM, Old Point Lodge No. 144, IOOF, Phoebus Lodge No. 1514, Loyal Order of Moose, Live Oak Camp, No. 21, Woodmen of the World and other lodges in which Mr. Welch held membership will attend the services in a body.
The active pallbearers will be William Kahn, L. M. Brown, Shepherd Sherman, C. B. Wagoner, E. L. Clarke, George T. Benthall, William H. Power and Frank O’Brien.
The honorary pallbearers will be John B. Kimberly, Harry H. Kimberly, W. T. Hopkins, R. V. Richardson, John W. Craigs, W. T. Phillips, C. G. Himmelwright, Dr. George K. Vanderslice, Capt. James T. Bailey, Charels S. Kaufman, L. M. Newcomb, Mayor William J. Kearney, James Woodward, Eugent W. Hauser, George Taylor, E. Bloxom, Frank A. Kearney, Frank J. Blake, C. C. Mugler, M. F. Riggins, Mayor J. V. Bickford, David JOhnson, Dr. O. W. Ward, George Mould, Frank M. Brown, Capt. J. C. Robinson, James Ware and United States Marshall Clarence G. Smithers.
Mr. Welch had been the postmaster of Phoebus during 24 years having served under Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, Harding and Coolidge.
Peninsula Genealogy 