BIO: Allen S. WELCH, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 361-362.
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  ALLEN S. WELCH, Mount Union, Pa., was born November 29, 1855, son of 
David and Elizabeth (Spanagle) Welch. Both of Mr. Welch's parents were 
natives of Huntingdon county. Mr. David G. Welch was born January 1, 
1834, and was brought up to the business of farming, and continued in 
the same throughout life, excepting when in the service of his 
country's defense, in the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in August, 
1864, in Company K, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers; he 
was enrolled August 29th of that year, and was discharged August 3, 
1865. His wife, to whom he was married September 24, 1854, was a 
daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Long) Spanagle, born July 7, 1833. Of 
their eight children, five are living: Allen S.; Ida, wife of W. A. 
Minster, of Altoona, Pa.; William J., of Mount Union, married to Miss 
Laura Ewing; Elmer D.; and Dorset G., at home. Those deceased are: 
Hannah, an infant; Ira, at the age of four years; and Mary Alma, wife 
of J. M. Lutz, died September 9, 1894, aged thirty-four years, seven 
months and nine days. David Welch died October 11, 1881, aged forty-
seven years, nine months and ten days. Mrs. David G. Welch survives her 
husband, residing in Mount Union.
  Mr. A. S. Welch received the usual common school education. Familiar 
with the business of agriculture, and possessing the observation and 
intelligence to perceive and understand the needs of the farmer, he 
desired to introduce new and improved machinery for the processes of 
cultivation. It was in the year 1878, when only twenty-three years of 
age, that he purchased and operated the first steam threshing outfit in 
the lower end of the county of Huntingdon. In the spring, he disposed 
of the farm, and removed to Mount Union, where he engaged in the sale 
of agricultural implements. He began with the intention of dealing in 
anything and everything from a garden hoe to a thresher or saw-mill. By 
hard work and close attention to business, he soon built up a good 
trade. In the spring of 1885, Mr. Welch received the offer of a 
position as assistant general agent for the D. M. Osborne General 
Harvester Co., for which he had been selling goods during the preceding 
three years. He accepted the agency, and while fulfilling its duties, 
also conducted his business at home. After serving the company for 
three years, Mr. Welch found that his private interests were increasing 
so as to demand his entire attention. He therefore resigned his 
position with the Harvester Co., and left the road. He now has in his 
warehouse 12,500 square feet of floor space, and carries a full line of 
farming implements. Six years ago Mr. Welch bought and added to his 
business the only lumber yard in Mount Union. Three years ago, he added 
a line of hardware and stoves, and one year ago a coal yard. In every 
branch, his trade has been growing in extent and importance; he has 
managed to make it profitable, even during the dull times of the last 
three years.
  In 1879, for one year, Mr. Welch was elected township clerk of 
Shirley township. In 1880, he was elected tax collector of Shirley 
township for one year; was elected burgess of Mount Union borough in 
1888, to serve for one year, and in 1891, was elected to the school 
board for three years; in 1895, was elected to town council. In June, 
1896, he was nominated for county commissioner, and in November was 
elected by 2,500 majority. His politics are Republican.
  The marriage of Allen S. Welch to Annie M., daughter of the late 
Michael H. and Margaret (Morrison) Kyper, took place March 25, 1880. 
They have one son, Charles H., now sixteen years of age. Mr. Welch is a 
member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is now serving his third 
three years' term as trustee.
  Mrs. Annie M. Welch was born October 3, 1856. Her parents were 
residents of Shirley township. Mr. Kyper, her father, was a farmer, but 
from his eighteenth year taught school during the winter months, 
spending the summer in agricultural pursuits. He continued farming all 
his life. He was for three years director of the poor for Huntingdon 
county, besides filling several township offices. His marriage with 
Margaret, daughter of Hance and Barbara Morrison, took place November 
29, 1855. Their children were: Edgar, died June 17, 1865, aged two 
years; Ellie, died December 8, 1882, aged twenty-one years; Annie M. 
(Mrs. A. S. Welch); D. Nevin; Harry W.; Charles A.; and Mary M., widow 
of William E. Gifford. Mr. H. H. Kyper died December 8, 1892, aged 
sixty-six; his wife died August 10, 1882, at the age of fifty-two 
years; the former was a member of the Reformed, the latter of the 
Presbyterian church. They both died in Germany valley, Huntingdon 
county, Pa.