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KANAWHA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - BIOS: WELCH, John
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
SSpradling@aol.com
September 19, 1999
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History of Kanawha County
George W. Atkinson
1876
p. 287-288
JOHN WELCH
This worthy citizen of Kanawha, at the time of his death, more than a quarter
of a century ago, was among the oldest inhabitants. He was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, near the border of the borough of
Washington, and with his father's family came to Charleston at an early age.
Like his brother Levi, John Welch was not a professional, but a self-made
man, and, until married, followed the occupation of a clerk, bookkeeper and
accountant. The two brothers excelled in these acquirements. John acted in
the capacity of deputy sheriff of the county for several years. Later in life
he carried on merchandising. exceedingly retiring and domestic in his habits,
modest and unassuming in his manner and deportment, conscientious and upright
as a merchant, strict in his integrity, and devoted to his domestic duties,
he enjoyed the universal respect and confidence of the community. He resided
in Charleston the most of his life, and was seldom out of the county. He
married, in the year 1825 or 1826, a sister of the late James. C. McFarland;
Mrs. Welch is still living, and occupies the old family residence on Summers
street in Charleston. Mr. Welch died April 16, 1856, aged 67. He was
universally beloved and respected. Five of his children survived him, having
lost three in infancy. His eldest son, James, lost his life in the late war,
at the battle of Scary, on the 17th July, 1861.
Neither of these brothers-Levi and John-were professors of religion, or
members of any church; but their humane and benevolent characters were well
known. No poor man or indigent person, was ever spurned or driven from their
doors; acts of charity and benevolence were always bestowed by them,
unsparingly and without stint. The excellency of these men was well known
and appreciated by those with whom they came in contact, and not by a few
still living, who knew them well.
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