JOHN WELCH was born January 12, 1800, near McConnell's Mill, this county. Little else is known of his parents' history except that they were Scotch emigrants, and became pioneer settlers of Washington county. After the death of his father, which occurred when he was a small boy, John Welch went to live with a brother, Robert. In 1821 he was married to Elizabeth Woodburn, who was born in 1802, daughter of Thomas W. Woodburn, and to their union children were born as follows: Mary (Mrs. Walter Denny, of Independence township); James M.; Margaret (widow of Capt. John F. Beatty, of Carrollton, Ohio); Jane (Mrs. Thomas Harsha); John D. (a farmer of Harrison county, Ohio); Elizabeth (wife of W. G. Fee, of Cherokee, Iowa); Robert C. (deceased, a U. P. minister); Sarah Ann (Mrs. William Cockins, of Los Angeles, Cal.), and Thomas (deceased). During his married life Mr. Welch resided in Chartiers township, engaged in farming and stock raising. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and then a Republican, taking an active part in the abolition of slavery. He died in 1870, and was joined by his wife in 1873. James M. Welch, one of the successful farmers of Independence township, who has retired from active life, was born October 2, 1823, in Chartiers township, on the home farm. He attended the common schools, and assisted with the farm work until twenty-one years of age, when, becoming discontented at home, he purchased and located on a piece of land, his sister acting as his housekeeper. He afterward sold this property at a profit, and returned to the home farm. On April 14, 1853, he was married to Jane Lee, who was born March 23, 1828, daughter of John and Mary (Park) Lee, and they have had the following children: Willard Lee, John S. (who died in infancy), Melissa J. (deceased), Joseph A. (mentioned below), Annie (Mrs. Finley Liggett, of Walurba, Penn.), Laura May (living at home), Mary W. (deceased in youth) and Lizzie M. (who died in youth). After his marriage, Mr. Welch resided eleven years near the home farm in Chartiers township, and in 1864 purchased the "Old Garrett" farm, lying in the eastern central portion of Independence township, upon which he resided until 1890, when he purchased an adjoining tract on the western side, where he is now living a retired life. By dint of energy and perseverance, Mr. Welch now owns over 325 acres of land in Independence township, and has been greatly assisted by his faithful wife, who has been for several years a sufferer of rheumatism. Mr. Welch has also failed in health. Politically he was first a Whig, and now votes the Republican ticket. Both he and his wife are members of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church. Willard Lee Welch, eldest son of James M. and Jane (Lee) Welch, was born January 11, 1854, on the home farm in Chartiers township. He received a common-school education, and afterward attended Canonsburg Academy, and the Curry Institute, of Pittsburgh, Penn. On September 27, 1881, he was united in marriage with Hattie Gourley, who was born July 4, 1859, a native of Brooke county, W. Va., daughter of James M. and Catherine (Walker) Gourley. After his marriage Mr. Welch located on the "Andrew Ralston" farm, in the eastern part of Independence township, and has since worked upon that place, which adjoins the home of his father and brother. His farm is one of the best in the township, and he has erected a fine dwelling and other buildings upon it. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a stanch member of the Prohibition party. He and his wife are members of the Mt. Hope Church, in which he is an elder. Joseph A. Welch, a brother of Willard Lee, was born January 14, 1859, in Chartiers township, where he lived five years, and then came with his parents to Independence township, locating on the place he now owns. He received a common-school education, and has worked on the farm. On September 25, 1890, he was married to Mary B. McNary, who was born November 29, 1865, daughter of ex-county commissioner McNary, of Cross Creek township. He then located on the home farm, his parents moving to one adjoining it, and now deals extensively in stock. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church.

Text taken from page 601 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Linda Vourlogianes of Petaluma, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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