William Eli Welsh 1833-1906

Dan's paternal great,great, grandfather

William Eli Welsh

son of John & Lydia (Whitmoyer) Welsh

Born 27 oct 1833 in Sullivan Co., Pennsylvania 

Died 7 Feb 1906 in Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania 

Married

Margaret E. Houghland

daughter of Abraham & Rebecca (Black) Houghland

Born October 1835 in Pennsylvania

Died: 1905

(from the anniversary edition of the Watsontown Record & Star)

William E. Welsh was born in Sullivan county October 27, 1833.  In connection with this brother he followed barn building until he mobbed to Watsontown in 1865, when he was employed in the Hollopeter boat yard for a number of years.  When the match stick factory of Cook & Pardee was started he took the contract for the manufacture of boxes for that firm, continuing at this until the business was discontinued.  When the Pardee car works were running he operated the large planer in that industry until it was shut down.  Following this he began work for the Watsontown Table Works, in which establishment he was employed until within a few months of his death.

Mr. Welsh served one term in the Town Council, was a member of the Lutheran Church from the time it was organized here, and one of the oldest members of the Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A.M., serving as Tyler for a long term of years.

Mr. Welsh was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, genial and courteous, and made friends of all with whom he came in contact.  He built a cosy, comfortable home at the corner of Ninth and Elm Street, where with his estimable wife he raised a family of one son and three daughters – W. W. Welsh and Mrs. Leinbach of this place; Mrs. Charles Eilert of Perth, Amboy NJ, and Mrs. E. B. Truckenmiller of Delaware Township.  He died February 7, 1906.

Time Line:

1833 - William Born
The article above says that William was born in Sullivan County.  In 1850 we find him in the census with his parents in Lewis Twp, Northumberland County PA.  (Turbotville area)


1835 - Margaret E. Houghland is born
Margaret was the daughter of Abraham & Rebecca (Black) Hougland
Her tombstone gives her date of birth as 1836, but the 1900 census lists her birth as October 1935.  


1850 Census

Name: Elias Welsh

Age: 16

Birth Year: abt 1834

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1850: Lewis, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Gender: Male

Family Number: 12

Household Members:

Name Age

John Welsh 55

Lydia Welsh 48

Cathrine Welsh 21

Elias Welsh 16

John Welsh 15

Thomas Welsh 12

Harriet M Welsh 10

Margaret at home with her parents in 1850 - 

Name: Abraham Hougland
Age: 67
Birth Year: abt 1783
Birthplace: New Jersey
Home in 1850: Delaware, Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Family Number: 204
Household Members:
Name Age
Abraham Hougland 67
Rebecca Hougland 60
James Hougland 23
George M Hougland 19
Margaret Hougland 14

1859 - William Welsh Married Margaret Houghland

Source: The 1900 census states they were married 41 years.  

1860 Census

Name: Eli Welsh

Age in 1860: 26

Birth Year: abt 1834

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1860: Lewis, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Gender: Male

Post Office: Turbotville

Value of real estate: 200

Household Members:

Name Age

Eli Welsh 26

Margaret Welsh 23

Occupation - Carpenter

1865-

"In connection with this brother he followed barn building until he mobbed to Watsontown in 1865, when he was employed in the Hollopeter boat yard for a number of years.  "

Daughter Ella Alma Welsh Is Born

Ella Alma Welsh was born in 1865.

In 1885 She married Henry C. Leinbach.  They did not have any children. Ella died of a diabetic coma on September 4 1924, age 59.

She's buried in Watsontown Cemetery by her parents.

1870 Census

Name: Eli Welsh

Age in 1870: 36

Birth Year: abt 1834

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1870: Watsontown, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Post Office: Watsontown

Value of real estate: View image

Household Members:

Name Age

Eli Welsh 36

Margaret Welsh 31

Ellen A Welsh 6

Rebecca J Welsh 4

Ward W Welsh 1

Occupation - Carpenter

1880 Census

Name: Eli W. Welsh

Age: 45

Birth Year: abt 1835

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1880: Watsontown, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name: Margaret E. Welsh

Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Household Members:

Name Age

Eli W. Welsh 45

Margaret E. Welsh 43

Alma Welsh 16 - occupation, tailoress

Rebecca Welsh 13

Ward W. Welsh 11

Hattie Welsh 8

Occupation - Carpenter

1899 - Named on daughters marriage certificate

Name Edward B Truckenmiller

Event Type Marriage

Event Date 19 Sep 1899

Event Place , Northumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

Age 29

Birth Year (Estimated) 1870

Father's Name Daniel Truckenmiller

Mother's Name Mary C Truckenmiller

Spouse's Name Hattie Welsh

Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated) 1874

Spouse's Father's Name William E Welsh

Spouse's Mother's Name Margaret Welsh

This photo is unlabeled, but knowing that Eli worked there, and that distinctive long white beard on the man 3rd from the left in the front row, leads me to believe that is Eli.

1900 Census

Occupation - Carpenter

Name: William E Welsh

Age: 66

Birth Date: Oct 1833

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1900: Watsontown, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

[Northumberland] 

Race: White

Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Head

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name: Margaret E Welsh

Marriage Year: 1859

Years Married: 41

Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Occupation: View on Image

Neighbors: View others on page

Household Members:

Name Age

William E Welsh 66

Margaret E Welsh 64

About 1904

Hattie (Welsh) Truckenmiller, Margaret  Houghland Welsh, Eli Welsh holding Fred Truckenmiller, Ed Truckenmiller 

1905 - Margaret Died

1906 - William Died

Research:

The daughters of Eli Welsh - Hattie, Alma, Rebecca

W.W. Welsh, son of Eli Welsh

Ad is from the 1853 Watsontown Record And Star

WARD WEST WELSH Worshipful Master 1897 Ward West Welsh was born at Watsontown Pa April 18 1869 and at present resides there He attended the public schools of his native town where he secured a limited education he engaged in the grocery business which he conducted until compelled to relinquish active business on account of ill health a year since his health is now much improved and he is again active He was initiated in Watsontown Lodge No 401 April 6 1892 Junior Warden 1895 Senior Warden 1896 Worshipful Master 1897 is a past Most Excellent High Priest of Warrior Run Chapter No 246 Royal Arch Masons of Watsontown was knighted in Calvary Commandery No 37 Knights Templar of Danville from which he withdrew to become a warrant member of Mt Hermon Commandery No 85 Knights Templar of Sunbury Pa