MATTHEW R. WELCH. In the foremost rank of the honored and prosperous citizens of Smith township is the name of this gentleman gladly welcomed. His father was Matthew Welch, who was born in County Down, Ireland. Matthew Welch (the father) was educated in his native country, and, at the age of twenty-four years, crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, the voyage occupying eight weeks. He landed in New York, proceeding thence to Lancaster county, Penn. After residing in that county for about four years in 1797 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of William Reed. The young couple resided in Lancaster county three years after their marriage, and in 1802 moved to Washington county, Penn., the journey being made in an emigrant wagon containing their household goods and provisions, drawn by four horses. They were three weeks on the road, and finally settled until spring on a small place in Smith township, this county. They bought a place two miles distant, and immediately began to make improvements upon it, afterward raising a large amount of stock. In politics Matthew Welch was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Seceder Church, at Burgettstown, to which he gave a hearty support. He died in 1851, and in 1873 his widow was laid beside him in the United Presbyterian cemetery at Burgettstown. The children born to this marriage were: Isabella (wife of William Galbraith), Mary (married to William Campbell), Jane (wife of James McNary), Nancy (Mrs. Mark Stephenson), Elizabeth (wife of Robert McBurney), Margaret ( Mrs. Thomas McCorkle), Rachel (married to R. K. Scott), Julia A. (wife of James Vincent), Hannah (married to Matthew Welch), and Matthew R. Of this family Mrs. Robert McBurney, Mrs. Thomas McCorkle, Mrs. James Vincent, Mrs. Matthew Welch and Matthew R. Welch are yet living. Matthew R. Welch was born December 19, 1826, on the home farm, in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed in working on the farm and attending school three months each year. The schoolhouse was built of logs and furnished with slab seats and writing desks, an ordinary quill pen being used for the practice. On October 17, 1850, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John and granddaughter of John White. John White, the grandfather, was born and reared in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was married to Ann Bonar. They made a permanent home in Chartiers township, near Cook's Station, where he purchased a large tract of land. Their children were James, Nancy (wife of Alexander McElroy), Ann (married to John Anderson), Mary (Mrs. John McCall), Sarah (wife of William Stewart), William, John, Ebenezer, Samuel, Jane, David, Matthew, and Margaret, who married John Malone. The father was a Whig. He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church. John White was born in 1786, near Canonsburg, Chartiers township, and in early life began to haul goods over the mountains, having carried ammunition for the Government during the war of 1812. In 1814 he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John May, of Cecil township, this county, who bore him the following children: Ann (Mrs. John Scott), Phoebe (wife of John Farrar), Julia, Jane, John, James, Mary (wife of Matthew R. Welch), Nancy (married to John Reed), Alexander and Samuel. Of these children, Julia, Jane, John and Alexander are deceased. In 1814 Mr. and Mrs. White located on Raccoon Creek, in Smith township. Selling out in 1850, they bought a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where they resided eight months. Thence they moved to Belmont county, Ohio, and lived there two years, finally returning to Canonsburg, where he died. Politically Mr. White was a Whig and Republican, and held many township offices. In church relations he was a member and elder of the Associated Reformed Church. Matthew R. and Mary (White) Welch first settled on the home place in Smith township, but in 1889 moved to Burgettstown, where they are yet living. Five children have been born to them: Elizabeth M. (wife of M.L. Cook), Anna M. (Mrs. J.L. Malcolm), John W. (married to M.A. Daugherty), Jennie (Mrs. Robert Russell) and Julia B. (wife of J.C. Morrow). Mr. Welch has been a Republican in politics, and has held various township offices: he has ever been especially interested in the progress of educational matters. He is a member of the U.P. Church, and of the Session; formerly he was a member of the Associate Church of Burgettstown.

Text taken from page 751 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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