John Welch (politician)

John Welch (October 28, 1805 – August 5, 1891) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

John Welch
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th district
In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	Samuel Finley Vinton
Succeeded by	Edson B. Olds
Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
In office February 23, 1865 – February 9, 1878
Appointed by	John Brough
Preceded by	Rufus P. Ranney
Succeeded by	John W. Okey
Member of the Ohio Senate from the Athens & Meigs County district
In office December 1, 1845 – December 5, 1847
Preceded by	Abraham Van Vorhes
Succeeded by	Horace Horton
Personal details
Born	(1805-10-28)October 28, 1805 New Athens, Ohio
Died	August 5, 1891(1891-08-05) (aged 85) Athens, Ohio
Resting place	West Union Cemetery
Political party	Whig, Republican
Spouse(s)	Martha Starr
Children	two
Alma mater	Franklin College

Biography

Born near New Athens, Ohio, Welch received a liberal schooling and graduated from Franklin College. He moved to Athens County in 1828 and settled in Rome Township. He engaged in the milling business. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Athens, Ohio, in 1833. He served as prosecuting attorney of Athens County 1841-1843. He served as member of the Ohio Senate 1845-1847.

Welch was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853). He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1852. He served as delegate to the Whig National Convention in 1852. He resumed the practice of law. Presidential elector for Republicans Fremont/Dayton in 1856[1] He served as judge of the court of common pleas 1862-1865. He served as associate justice of the supreme court of Ohio 1865-1878 and was chief justice in 1877 and 1878. He died in Athens, Ohio, August 5, 1891. He was interred in West Union Street Cemetery.

Welch was married in 1829 to Martha Starr, who had two sons.[2]

Publications

Welch, John (1887). An index-digest to the reports of cases decided in the courts of Ohio: embracing the Supreme, Circuit, Common pleas and Superior court decisions to May, 1886. Robert Clarke & co. OCLC 11767958.

Notes

1. Smith 1898 : 64
2. Smith 1898 volume 2 : 321-322

Sources

• United States Congress. "John Welch (id: W000263)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.
• Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. II. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

External links

• "Welch, John" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Samuel F. Vinton	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th congressional district March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853	Succeeded by Edson B. Olds