John J. Welch

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John J. Welch

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

John J. WELCH, the well known hotel proprietor of Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, is of the first generation of his branch of the WELCH family in this country, but the family is an old one in Europe. Some of the WELCH’S, now living in America are of English origin, others are of Scotch-Irish descent. Scotch Protestants crossed the sea to the North of Ireland during the period of religious upheaval in Scotland, and transplanted the name to Irish soil, but the majority of those bearing the name of WELCH have been devout Catholics. We find men bearing this name in the early colonial days of New England, and a John WELCH was a resident of Boston, in 1682 and left descendants.

John J. WELCH was born in England, and came to the United States about 1874. Before his arrival in this country he had already attained fame as a pugilist and general athlete in his native land, and he followed this profession for a number of years, with a remarkable degree of success. After abandoning this field of industry, he engaged in business as a hotel proprietor, and manager of theatrical ventures in Newark, New Jersey, and at the time of his conduct of these, a quarter of a century ago, his was considered the handsomest place of amusement of its kind in the United States. In October, 1909, Mr. WELCH removed to Pompton Plains, where he opened the hotel which he is conducting at the present time. This contains twelve sleeping apartments, dining room, parlors, a well equipped office, all furnished with good taste in a comfortable and modern style. The service leaves nothing to be desired, and the hotel enjoys a large patronage. Politically Mr. WELCH is a Democrat, and was a member of all the Democratic clubs in Newark. The polls were located in his place of business for a period of twenty years. He is a member of the Catholic church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Mr. WELCH married Etta ILSENBECK, who died in 1907, and left children: John J. Jr., and Catherine C. now (1914) a student at St. Vincent’s Academy.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)