BIO: Allen S. WELCH, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 239. __________________________________________________________ A. S. WELCH Mount Union, Pa. Mount Union has within its confines a representative citizen, one who adds lustre to its galaxy of staunch business men. His enterprises and activities are many and varied. He was born in Polo, Ill., November 23, 1855, the son of David Gamble and Elizabeth (Spanogle) Welch, both natives of Huntingdon county. Finding that the west was more advantageous to them they settled in Illinois, where they remained for five years, after which they returned to Pennsylvania, where they resided in peace and contentment as honored citizens of this county. David Welch was born near Burnt Cabins, Fulton Co. Pa., January 1, 1834. The Welchs originally came to America from Ireland about 1750; they also settled in the vicinity of Burnt Cabins. David Welch offered his services to his country in the Civil War; was in Company K, 202nd Penna. Vols.; enlisted in August, 1864, and was honorable discharged August 3rd, 1865! He departed this life October 11, 1881; his wife was of German extraction; they were pioneer settlers of Germany Valley, Huntingdon County, having come from Warriorsmark about 1825; she too is deceased. But returning to the subject of this sketch, reveals what ambition and determination to succeed can accomplish. His early life was spent on the farm in Germany Valley; his schooling consisted of what the country schools afforded; in the actualities of life is where he received a practical, sound, business education, which was his best asset. At the age of twelve years with his father he followed threshing, and later on he engaged in the threshing business himself. He purchased the first threshing outfit in the lower end of the county and operated it with success for several years. He sold threshing machines, reapers, mowers, and grain drills. He moved to Mount Union in the spring of 1882, and bought a residence on Shirley street, along a residential section. He represented the Osborne Company; he sold farm implements, carriages and wagons. In 1886 he was appointed to the general agency of the above-named company, representing, Perry, Juniata, Mifflin and Fulton counties, with headquarters at Mount Union, Pa. He afterwards represented the J. M. Childs & Co., of Utica, N.Y., manufacturers of spring tooth harrows, plows, and farm implements. In 1890 he entered the lumber business, purchasing from S. B. McCarthy the only lumber yard in Mount Union. In 1891 he erected a larger building on the present site and added a hardware store, which was the largest business enterprise in Mount Union, and which included a hardware store, implement business, and a lumber business which included about 22,500 square feet of space; also a garage and planing mill; builders' supplies. The Mount Union Times was housed on the second floor. One can see at a glance that he planned wisely and prospered. His son, Charles, was associated with his father in all these enterprises. In 1892 Mr. Welch came into possession of the Mount Union Times. This paper, a weekly, was first issued about 1867; many changes of ownership transpired, and to-day it occupies a prominent place in the journalistic world. A linotype machine was installed years ago. It is a twelve-page sheet; covers the news of the county, state and nation; features the "To-day" column of Arthur Brisbane; has local and personal columns; features several stories, the fashions; also local and current events; is a member of the National Editorial Association, and is the mouthpiece of the Republican party in the county. Its editors, A.S. Welch and Charles Howard Welch, present the news in an impartial manner. But going farther and delving into the mysteries of this remarkable man, his Scotch-Irish and German descent has stood him in good stead; he believed in a greater Mount Union; he knew its possibilities; he has led the way; a far-seeing man. He laid the first cement pavement in Mount Union; erected the first three-story brick building; owned the first automobile in the lower end of the county, and operated the first steam thresher in this section of the county; he erected up to 1910 fifty or more buildings, principally dwellings; he built two brick school houses in Shirley township. On February 11, 1905, he bought at public sale the George P. Miller farm, just outside of Mount Union; he laid out a portion of this farm in building lots, and named this new suburb Allenport. He erected there a number of dwellings; rented or sold them on easy terms; enabled working men to get homes for themselves. In 1879 he was township clerk of Shirley. In 1880 he was elected tax collector of Shirley township. In 1888 he was burgess of Mount Union, and has served this office since. In 1891 was on the school board, and in 1895 elected to the Town Council; in 1896 was on the Board of County Commissioners of Huntingdon county; in 1904 was the county's choice for State Senate; for the sake of harmony was induced to withdraw in favor of Hon. Alexander Stewart, of Franklin county. Mr. Welch was for several years chairman of the Republican County Committee. For two sessions he was assistant clerk of the House of Representatives. He is actively engaged in farming; has five farms; an extensive and intensive farmer; operates the Ewing flour mill, which he owns; at present is paying particular attention to the milling business. He was a director of the DeFrehn Chair Factory when it flourished years ago; a director of the Central National Bank. The members of the family are Presbyterians, he being a member of the Board of Trustees for thirty-five years, and interested in all activities of the church and Sunday school. He was the first captain of the Sons of Veterans. He was married March 25, 1880, to Miss Annie M. Kyper, of Germany Valley; she is the eldest daughter of the late Michael H. Kyper; he was born in Hartslog Valley, Dec. 16, 1825, and died Dec. 8, 1892; he was the father of seven children; he was a pioneer of Central Pennsylvania, and was one of the noted school and music teachers of this county in his day; he was a school teacher for forty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Kyper had one son, Stewart A., and two daughters, Ethel M. and Edna F., all of Mount Union, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have one son, Charles Howard Welch, postmaster and co-editor with his father, of the Mount Union Times. Mr. A. S. Welch is without a doubt in a class by himself. He has succeeded in no small way, his efforts have been successful, but it required determination, which he possesses. Note: Allan S. Welch, 74, Editor, Weekly Newspaper, Annie M. Welch, 73, Mary M. Gifford, 58, and Gaynelle Gifford, 36, are listed in the 1930 Mount Union, Huntingdon County census. Listed as Allen S. Welch in the 1920 and 1910 Mount Union census. In the 1900 Mount Union census, his name is spelled Allen S. Welsh.