MRS. E. L. WELSH. Joseph B. Welsh (deceased) was one of those citizens whose lives have been so filled with kindly acts and noble deeds, that their loss is felt not alone by kindred, but by the entire community. Men of such character never die in the hearts of those who have been privileged to know and love them, but it is only a just tribute to their memory that the record of their lives should be given to those who follow after, as examples most worthy of emulation. Joseph B. Welsh was a son of William Welsh, who was an associate and compeer of John Sloan, a congressman from Wooster, Ohio; Abner Leonard, a prominent Presbyterian minister; Jonathan Knight, an eminent engineer and member of Congress from Washington county, Penn.; Drs. Joseph and Jonathan Letherman, eminent physicians; also of Hon. Joseph Lawrence, and many others. William Welsh served for many years as justice of the peace, and in the family library his docket is yet preserved, every entry made in clear, neat and orderly form, and written by a superior penman. The Rev. Dr. Estep, who is widely known as one of the most able clergyman of the Baptist faith, said of William Welsh that he "never met a more logical or clear reasoner" than he. Dr. Welsh died many years ago, leaving a widow, eight daughters and two sons; one of the daughters was the first wife of G. V. Lawrence, of Monongahela. Joseph B. Welsh, the second son of William, was born December 10, 1815, on the home farm in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., where his father died. He attended Washington and Jefferson College for a short time, but his services being required on the farm, he soon returned to assist his widowed mother in educating the younger children. He said to his mother: "I will remain with you until my sisters are educated and provided for," and most faithfully was that promise kept. His sisters were educated at the seminaries in Steubenville (Ohio) and Washington (Penn.), in due time leaving the maternal roof with husbands of their choice, who were all acceptable to the family. After the death of his mother Joseph B. Welsh was united in marriage with Miss Emily L. Taylor, a lady, who though several years his junior, was yet especially fitted as his bride. He was a member of the Legislature in 1865-69, and passed most of his life on the farm where his ancestors had settled nearly a century ago. In the halls of legislation, as executor or administrator of vast estates, as guardian of minors, in the relations of neighbor, husband and father, Joseph B. Welsh was equally able and invariably faithful to every duty. In social life he possessed genial, pleasant manners, was apt in conversation or repartee, and having an unusually extensive knowledge of men and measures, was a most entertaining companion. In 1879 he was thrown from a horse, which accident caused a fibrous tumor in his left side that first began to develop in October, 1880. From that date his health rapidly declined, and he was laid to rest March 22, 1881, after a protracted illness. His last days were passed in perfect repose, for believing that the God who had given life knew best when that life should end, he submitted with the utmost resignation to his will. Mrs. Welsh is descended from one of the most highly respected families of Washington county, and is now residing in a beautiful home in East Bethlehem township. Her four daughters have been reared in culture and refinement, of whom three are married and living in Washington county; they are Rebecca (Mrs. Joseph Clark, residing in Pittsburgh), Ella (Mrs. Jonas Emery), Cora (Mrs. William H. Theakston) and Mary, at home.

Text taken from page 1450 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/.

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