JAMES F. WELCH, a leading merchant of West Middletown, was born June 22, 1848, in West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. He is a grandson of James Welch, the latter of whom was born and reared in eastern Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Washington county. James Welch was there married to Margaret Johnson, daughter of one of the earliest pioneers of the county, who made a home in Independence township, suffering much from the Indians, who were then very hostile. To Mr. and Mrs. Welch were born the following children: Andrew (deceased in youth), Rachel (Mrs. James Haggerty), Robert, Ephraim, Jane (Mrs. James Hunter), Abel, Mary (wife of Andrew Paxton), Eliza (married to Dr. William Smith), Nimrod (living in Iowa), John, James and Aaron. After his marriage Mr. Welch settled on the unimproved farm in Independence township, which has since been cultivated by the family, in whose possession it has remained. Politically James Welch was a Whig taking an active part in local politics. He was a leading member of the Associate Reformed Church, in which he served as an elder many years and toward which he was a liberal contributor. He is buried at Mt. Hope. Aaron Welch was born June 16, 1819, in Independence township, this county; he passed his early life on the home farm, and received his education at the log schoolhouse, with its puncheon floor and huge fireplace. In 1843 he was united in marriage with Ann, daughter of James Futhey, of Cross Creek township, an old settler of this county. Mr. Welch remained on the home place some years after his marriage, and then moved to West Finley township, this county, but soon after purchased a farm in Cross Creek township. This he sold, and bought a farm in Hopewell township, where he remained till spring; then traded for another place in the same township, where he remained but a short time, and then moved to Independence township. Some time afterward he purchased a farm near West Middletown, where he made a permanent home. Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Welch as follows: Elizabeth M. (Mrs. A. W. McConnell), Lucretia A. (deceased), James F., Mary J. (Mrs. D. A. Scott), Edith A. (wife of Nathaniel Paxton), Rachel M. (deceased wife of T. M. Cowden), Maria M. (Mrs. John Nolan), and one that died in infancy. Mr. Welch was formerly a Whig and then a Republican. He took an active part in local politics, and served his township in various capacities. In religion he was first a member of the Associate Reformed Church, afterward uniting with the United Presbyterian Society, in which he was an elder for years. He was actively interested in church matters, giving liberally to all worthy enterprises. He died January 13, 1879, having been preceded by his wife in 1870, and both are buried in the cemetery at Mt. Hope. James F. Welch remained on the home farm near West Middletown, until about twenty- one years of age, when he engaged in teaching school. He followed this profession several years, then worked two years in his brother-in law's store at Venice, this county, and in 1875 commenced business at West Middletown. On September 16, 1875, he was united in marriage with Lizzie R., daughter of William Berry, who was born June 31, 1819, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county. His grandfather, John Berry, was born in Ireland, and there learned the shoemaker's trade. He then came to America, settling in Lancaster county, Penn., where he lived some years, and afterward moved to Washington county, where he purchased a farm from part of the grant given to George Washington. He was engaged in the distillery business. John Berry was born in Lancaster county, Penn, and was reared and educated on the home place. He was married to Rachel Phillips, who bore him the following named children: Jonathan, Eliza A. (Mrs. Alexander May), Mary (wife of Robert Riddle), John, William and Samuel. Mr. Berry followed farming all his life. In politics he was a Whig, then an Abolitionist, and afterward a Republican. He was a member and elder of the Associate Reformed Church for many years, then united with the U. P. Church. He died in 1870, his wife in 1860. William Berry spent his early years on the home place in Lancaster county, Penn., and there passed his whole life. In 1849 he was married to Martha J., daughter of John Colkins, and their children were: Lizzie R. (Mrs. J. F. Welch), Martha L., Mary (wife of David A. McCalmont), Ella B., Ida and James G.. Mrs. Berry died January 8, 1865, and was buried at Venice. On January 30, 1878, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Jane G. Reed. He was a Whig and Abolitionist, then a Republican, and finally a Prohibitionist. He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, and afterward united with the U. P. Society. To Mr. and Mrs. James F. Welch have been born the following children: Anna M., Edith M. and Nellie T. Mr. Welch is a successful business man, and in politics was a Republican, now being a Prohibitionist. He has served faithfully in various offices. In religious connection he is a member and elder of the U. P. Church.

Text taken from page 1367 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]