BIO: James H. WELCH, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 50-51.
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    JAMES H. WELCH, proprietor and general manager of the Welch Fire Brick
  Company of Monaca, Pa., one of the oldest, best equipped and busiest of the
  manufacturing plants in Beaver county, is a man of great energy and
  enterprise. His career has been one of the greatest activity, having worked
  his way from a lowly station in life to a position among the most prominent
  business men of this section of the state.
    
    In 1878, Mr. Welch started the Welch Fire Brick Company at Monaca, soon
  after the opening of the P. & L. E. R. R., and began the manufacture of the
  celebrated "W" fire brick, fire bricks of all kinds for mills, furnaces,
  locomotive tile, cupolas, and buff-building brick,-being the first in the
  vicinity to turn out that style of brick. He ships the product to every
  section of the country, and the buff brick used in Madison Square Garden in
  New York City, was procured from this establishment. He has also owned works
  at Vanport, Pa., and is a member of the firm of Welch, Gloninger & Maxwell of
  Welch, Pennsylvania.
    
    James H. Welch was born in Red Brook, Monmouth, Eng., in 1846, on the 7th
  of June, and received his intellectual training in the public schools of
  Monmouth, which he attended until he reached the age of twelve years. He then
  went to work in a grocery store and continued until he was seventeen years
  old. Being an intelligent appearing youth of fine physique, he was appointed
  platform inspector and ticket collector at Ross Station, and later joined the
  Cheltenham police force. This comprised his occupation until within two days
  before he left England, in 1867, when he came to America settling in
  Pittsburg, Pa., where he secured a position as assistant yard-master on the
  Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He subsequently entered the employ of the
  Pittsburg Gas Company and worked in the retort house for three months, when
  he was appointed weighmaster. After a time, he resigned, bought a team of
  horses and engaged contracting. He worked very hard, and his business was
  flourishing, when he sold out to Minesinger Brothers eighteen years later. In
  the meantime he had become interested in the brick works at Vanport, and he
  continued there until he removed to Monaca and, in partnership with his
  brother, operated the Welch Fire Brick Company. His brother, however,
  disposed of his interest and was suc-
    
    BEAVER COUNTY  51
    
  ceeded by Mr. J. H. Gloninger. He started with the old square kilns, but he
  has made improvements and added modern appliances until the concern
  outclasses all others in the locality. He was the first in the county to
  possess one of the celebrated English continuous kilns, having 16 chambers
  and a capacity of 500,000 bricks. It is a great saving and is distinguished
  from all others in that while one part is under full heat, the others can be
  cooled off, emptied and filled. In connection with the works are 135 acres of
  clay land, to which an incline leads by way of a side entry. A new engine has
  just been put in to operate the incline, and the heavy grinding and crushing
  machines for manufacture. This firm makes a specialty in shapes, one contract
  calling for as many as forty different shapes. Be-sides the extensive grounds
  which they have under cover, there is a building 175x90 feet, another
  three-story building 112x60 feet, with dry tunnels carrying 90,000 bricks in
  the dry room, and having a capacity of 25,000 per day. The office at the
  works is located near the railroad, and the general offices and salesroom are
  located at Pittsburg. Fifty men are in the employ of the company, and when the
  capacity of the works is doubled as is contemplated, the force of workmen will
  be largely increased. Mr. Welch is also a member of the firm of Welch,
  Gloninger & Maxwell of Welch, Pa., the town, which is named after our
  subject, being supported by the works.
    
    He owns a fine residence in Monaca, which stands upon an elevation above
  the town and is called Welchmont. It is a very handsome home, being
  constructed of buff brick after the owner's own plans, and it commands an
  excellent view of the surrounding country. Mr. Welch also owns a fine dairy
  farm of 354 acres in Borie township, containing 40 head of good Jerseys and
  registered Holsteins, and sells milk in Beaver Falls. He raises considerable
  grain and hay, but it is all fed to the stock. Politically, Mr. Welch is a
  strong Republican, but has never had the time to devote much attention to
  party affairs. In religious attachments he is a Baptist, and, socially, is a
  Royal Arch Mason.