WELCH, John - 1890 Bio (1822-1905)

WELCH, SCHUSTER, CHASE, NEWMAN, DUBOIS, HISEL, STONEBREAKER, SNOOK, TEMPLETON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/3/2007 at 11:57:26

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 498-499

John WELCH, who resides on section 31, Buchanan Township, is one of the self-made men of Jefferson County, and the record of his life might well be studied by many youths of today and his example of energy, perseverance and industry be closely followed by them. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 19, 1822. His father, John WELCH, Sr., was a native of Maryland, and his paternal grandparents were of Irish birth. His ancestors on his mother's side, however, were of German birth, and with all their worldly effects tied up in two handkerchiefs they left the Fatherland for America. Their move proved a profitable one for they gained a comfortable competence and became well-to-do citizens of Ohio. In his youth John WELCH, Sr., removed to the Keystone State, where he became acquainted with and wedded Miss Susanna SCHUSTER, a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward they became residents of Stark County, Ohio, and in the midst of its forests developed a large farm. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. WELCH was a Democrat. The death of the mother occurred in the fifty-fifth year of her age, and the father died at the age of seventy-five years. Of their family, which numbered ten children, six sons and four daughters, four are yet living -- Margaret, who resides in Indiana; John, of this sketch; Samuel, who served in the late war and is now a practicing physician of Washington County, Kan.; and William, who is living in Stark County, Ohio.

The boyhood of our subject was not one of unalloyed pleasure. The family lived upon a wooded farm and as soon as he was old enough he was compelled to aid in clearing the land and otherwise advancing the interests of the household. His educational advantages were therefore necessarily limited, but experience and observation have been to him profitable teachers, and his own life may be called one of success. He remained at hime assisting his father until his marriage, having never worked but two days for wages, and then he received but forty-two cents per day. Having attained to mature years and thinking himself able to maintain a home of his own, on the 2d of November, 1843, he led to the marriage altar Miss Clarissa CHASE, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 26, 1824, and is a daughter of Josiah and Sallie (NEWMAN) CHASE. Her parents were married in Massachusetts and from that State emigrated to Ohio, where they were among the early settlers. In accordance with their professions as members of the Methodist Church, they lived consistent Christian lives and won the respect and confidence of all with whom they came in contact. The death of the father occurred at the age of eighty-eight years, and his wife was called to her final home in the seventy-fourth year of her age. Mrs. WELCH was the sixth in their family of eight children, five of whom are now living.

Mr. and Mrs. WELCH entered upon their domestic life on a farm in his native county, and on the 27th of August, 1854, started for Iowa. Traveling by wagon, they reached their destination after four weeks, and Mr. WELCH made purchase of a two hundred acre farm in Cedar Township, which he has since sold. His home on section 31, Buchanan Township, comprises two hundred and five acres, well cultivated and improved, and he and his family are now surrounded with all the comforts which go to make life worth living. One horse and two cows, some sheep and swine, and some household effects constituted the combined wealth of himself and wife when the began life for themselves, but step by step he has worked his way upward, aided by the able assistance of his wife, and prosperity has now crowned his efforts. As stated in the beginning, the energy and enterprise which has marked his course might well be taken as an example by others who, like him, have to begin life dependent on their own resources. In his political affiliations he has been a Republican since residing in Iowa, but previous to that time was an advocate of Democratic principles. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. WELCH have been born eight children -- Sarah, wife of Reuben DUBOIS; Susanna, wife of John HISEL; John W., who married Alice STONEBREAKER and is engaged in farming in Kansas; Amanda M., wife of Justin SNOOK; Clarissa I., who died in infancy; William L., who married Della TEMPLETON; Josiah C., who died at the age of three years, and an infant daughter, also deceased.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.