My Genealogy Hound

George A. Welfare, one of the most enterprising and influential farmers of Novi township, Oakland County, residing on his beautiful farm of 140 acres in sections 1 and 2, was born in Commerce township, Oakland County, Michigan, September 21, 1852, and is a son of John Welfare.

John Welfare, our subject’s father, was one of a family of eight children, namely: George, John, Rebecca, Harriet, Jane, Clarissa, Charlotte and Samuel, all of whom are now deceased. He was born in England, and came to America with his parents, who settled in Commerce township, where they took up 40 acres of government land and entered upon the task of clearing and cultivating the property. Our subject’s uncle, George Welfare, bought a tract of 140 acres of Novi township, Oakland County, which is the present farm of George A. Welfare, having been given to the latter by his uncle. Our subject’s parents reared four children, namely: Thomas, a resident of Novi township, who was married to Sarah Lambert of Southfield township, Oakland County, and has one child, Jay; Phebe Ann, deceased; George A.; and Herbert J., engaged in farming in Novi township, Oakland County, who was married to Mary Smitherman of Southfield township, Oakland County, and has reared four children, — Clarence, Bert, Perry and Harvey.

George A. Welfare received his education in the schools of Commerce and Novi townships, and at an early age engaged in the pursuits of general farming and stock raising on the farm which his uncle, George Welfare, had left him. The farm consists of 140 acres of finely tilled soil and the buildings are all first class in appearance and appointments.

Mr. Welfare was married November 20, 1877, to Eliza Abbey, daughter of Walter; and Lucinda (Austin) Abbey. Walter Abbey, who died in 1898, was born in New York State and when 17 years of age came to the State of Michigan with his parents, who purchased a farm of 97 acres in section 2, Novi township, Oakland County. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Abbey, namely: Alice Jane, who died in infancy; John, who died at the age of 46 years; Norman J., a resident of the State of Washington, who was married to Lilly Ingersoll, and has one child, Edna; Orson J., living in Midland, Michigan, who was married to Mary Simmons, and has two children, — Orson and George; Eliza, our subject’s wife; Moses D., a resident of Midland, Michigan, who was married to Ida Bennett; Dwana, who resides in Detroit, and is married to Frank Pratt; and Elizabeth Ann, who married Adelbert Martin, — by a former marriage she had one child, Fred McCrumb.

Our subject and wife are the parents of three children, namely: Gertrude, born October 29, 1880; Grace L., born in February, 1883, who married Clyde Angell of Farmington township, who is now erecting a fine dwelling opposite our subject’s residence; and George Albert, born August 30, 1898, who died in infancy. Mr. Welfare is a member of the Republican party.