AREA HISTORY: Genealogical, Hanover, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ GENEALOGICAL – Page 594 The following genealogical record, received too late for insertion in that part of this work, is inserted here: John George Kuntz, one of the first settlers on the site of the town of Hanover, emigrated with his wife Catharine from Germany, together with 171 Palitines, landing in Philadelphia, September 11, 1732, in a sailing vessel called the “Pennsylvania.” He gave the land for the first Lutheran Church of the settlement around Hanover, and was instrumental in having Rev. Candler, the first pastor, come to America. John George Kuntz died April 7, 1748, and his wife Catherine died January 22, 1758. They had one son named John, and two daughters. Eve married Philip Morningstar. Catherine, the eldest child, was born in 1729, and in 1745 married Adam Hubbert, who lived in the vicinity of Hanover and died July 13, 1781, aged sixty-six years. His wife died in 1812, aged eighty-three years. Their daughter, Ann Eve Hubbert, born in 1751, married Jacob Rudisill, who became associate judge of the courts of York County. Their eldest daughter, Catharine Hubbert, born in 1748, married Peter Welsh. Christiana, the third daughter of Adam and Catherine Hubbert, was born in 1753 and married Henry Welsh, brother of Peter Welsh, and a son of Jacob Welsh, who came to York County from Europe in 1737. Henry Welsh was a prominent man during the early history of Hanover. In 1795 he became the first postmaster and afterward collector of excise, justice of the peace and in 1776, during the Revolution, was commissioned second lieutenant of Casper Reinecka’s company in Third Battalion of York County militia, commanded by Col. Richard McAllister. Henry Welsh died August 21, 1827, and his widow, Catherine Hubbert, died June 1, 1828. They had four sons: George, Henry, Jacob Rudisill and Benjamin. George Welsh, Henry’s eldest son, was born in Hanover, and died in Waynesboro, Penn., in 1854, aged seventy-seven years. The late Henry Welsh, of York, was born in Hanover January 13, 1800, was a son of George Welsh. Early in life Henry Welsh moved to York and engaged in the mercantile business, and soon after became one of the publishers of the York Gazette. He was appointed State printer, and at the same time was proprietor of the Harrisburg Reporter. From 1834 to 1838 he was part of the firm of Welsh, Cameron & Co., of Philadelphia. In 1842 he was appointed naval officer of the port of Philadelphia. After serving four years he was appointed United States revenue collector of the York District; was a director in the Northern Central Railway Company, and for many years president of the York Bank. He was three times a presidential elector. He died at his home in York June 23, 1883, aged eighty-three years. Benjamin, the youngest son of George Welsh, married Elizabeth Myers, living in Hanover and died February 27, 1843, aged fifty-two years, leaving children as follows: Amelia, Henry D., George W., Agnes and William C. W. Henry D. Welsh, his eldest son, was born in Hanover; early in life entered the store of Welsh & Hoff in York; returned to Hanover and conducted a store on Baltimore Street. In 1845 he went to Philadelphia and soon became a prominent merchant of that city, as part of the large mercantile establishment of James, Kent, Santee & Co. He was president of the American Steamship Company, and is now prominently connected with the railroad interests of this State, being a director in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and other companies, and president of one or two corporations. George Washington, second son of George Welsh, was born February 22, 1826. For many years he was one of the leading merchants of Hanover, and was an enterprising citizen. He died July 5, 1880. His children were Emma, married to G. M. Bair, and Albertus C., member of the firm of Welsh, Sleeder & Co., of Hanover. William Centennial Washington Welsh, youngest son of George Welsh, was born on the one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Washington, February 22, 1832, from which circumstance the middle name Centennial was given. He is married to Cornelia Jane McFarland, and has four sons, Harry B., William Ernest Paul and Ivan. Mr. Welsh is the senior member of the firm of Welsh, Sleeder & Co., who are largely engaged in the manufacture of flour in Hanover.