Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Welsh, John F. 

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Author: Biographical Publishing Co.



JOHN F. WELSH, whose wide experience in mining operations makes his services

invaluable as inside-foreman of the Burnside Colliery, Shamokin, Pa., is a

gentleman who has ever exerted a powerful influence in behalf of the working man.



  In 1852 he came to the United States, locating in New York City. In the spring

of 1853 he crossed the continent and settled in California for a period of four

months, when he joined Walker's filibustering expedition to Nicaragua.

Afterwards he went to New York State, where he enlisted in the Federal Army

during the Civil War, serving with credit for a period of three years. The war

having closed he returned to England, where he married, but soon after again

came to this country, taking up mining at Tonsville, Schuylkill County, Pa. This

has since been his vocation, and with the exception of some time spent in the

copper regions of the United States and the gold fields of Alaska, he has mined

in the anthracite coal region. He has always been devoted to the best interests

of his employers, who value his services highly, and stands among the foremost

men of the borough.



  For the advanced position he took in the furtherance of the interest of his

fellow-workmen he attained much prominence in the mining circles, and in 1878

the appreciation of his efforts were shown by his election to the State

Legislature of Pennsylvania from the Second District of Schuylkill County. He

served two terms in that capacity and his career at Harrisburg was marked by the

greatest activity. He opposed all measures which in his opinion were not for the

public welfare, and aided in passing a number of bills which are now laws, among

them being: the Night School Bill, the Store Order Bill, and the Ambulance Bill.

He also strongly advocated the eight-hour law, which never passed through the

House, and his honest efforts were heartily commended by organized labor bodies

throughout the country. He was also at one time nominated for State Senator from

the Schuylkill district. In 1875 he was president of the anti-monopoly committee

that met in Harrisburg, which organization wielded a potent influence in the

presidential campaign that followed.



  Mr. Welsh was one of the organizers of the Miners' and Laborers' Benevolent

Association of the anthracite coal region, of which he served as president for

three years. He served as president and also as vice-president of the Industrial

Congress of the United States, a mark of high distinction. He was the first

member of the Knights of- Labor in Schuylkill County. He came to Northumberland

County in 1886 and since that time has taken no active part in politics.







Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

  

  Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District

  Published by 

  Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)









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