MATTHEW WELCH (deceased) was one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Smith township. He was a son of John Welch, who was born in 1782, in County Down, Ireland and when ten years of age came with some older brothers to America. They located in Lancaster county, Penn., where he was reared to manhood, and married to Jane McClelland, a native of that county. After marriage this couple came to Washington county, locating in the eastern part of Smith township; afterward moved to Harrison county, Ohio, where their children were born as follows: Mary (married to Abraham Barger, of Harrison county, Ohio), Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Osburn, of Harrison county, Ohio), Ann (deceased wife of Matthew Slemens, of Harrison county, Ohio), Samuel (living in Washington county, Iowa), John ( a resident of Unionport, Jefferson Co., Ohio), Matthew (subject of our sketch), Jane (deceased wife of John McCullough), David (a resident of Harrison county, Ohio), James and William (both in Harrison county). Mr. Welch possessed characteristic spirit of energy and enterprise, and beginning life a poor boy, he became a successful business man. In politics he was first a Whig, after a Republican. He and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. They both died in 1872, and are buried side by side in the Ridge Church cemetery, Archer township, Harrison Co., Ohio. Matthew Welch was born March 27, 1825, in Archer township, Harrison Co., Ohio, and remained on the home farm during boyhood, receiving a common-school education. In early life he took a trip west, but being seized with ague, did not remain, but returned east, settling in Washington county, Penn. On December 18, 1856, he was married to Hanna M. Welch, who was born September 19, 1823, in Smith township, this county, daughter of Matthew Welch. Mr. and Mrs. Welch first made their home in this county, in Cross Creek township, then moved to Robinson township, and in 1872 came to Smith township, locating about one mile and a half south of Burgettstown, where Mr. Welch died April 23, 1890. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Welch has continued to reside on the farm, which is well improved and adorned with an elegant residence. Mr. Welch was a Republican, and was often called upon to fill offices of honor and trust in his township. He was a member of the U. P. Church, of which his widow is also a member. Their children were John M., Lizzie B., Matthew R. (deceased in childhood) and J. Vincent, all those living being still at home, the two sons having charge of the farm, which they manage

Text taken from page 775 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by Kathy McDowell of Philadelphia, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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