University of Virginia Library

EDWARD C. WELSH

Edward C. Welsh, a member of the Roanoke City
School Board was born in Baltimore, Maryland, June
11th, 1859 being a son of Peter and Honor (Conneliu)
Welsh, both natives of
Baltimore. His mother
died when Edward C.,
the subject of this
sketch, was an infant,
and when he was thirteen
years of age his
father passed away at
the age of 35. Peter
Welsh was engaged in
the iron trade in his
active business years.
Edward C. Welsh
attended the schools of
Baltimore and Philadelphia
when a boy,
after which he accepted
the position of messenger
with the Baldwin
Locomotive Works.
He left there to accept a position in a foundry with his
uncle, James Welsh, where he served an apprenticeship
of five years and later one year in Pool & Hunt's
Foundry in Baltimore, under instructors. In 1883 he
came to Roanoke and accepted a position in the Norfolk
& Western shops as a journeyman. In January,
1891, he was appointed assistant foreman, and promoted
to the position of foreman in the following
September. Possessing a practical knowledge gained
by experience of the foundry business, Mr Welsh may
be regarded as an authority in his line. In 1903 for
a period of six months he was in charge of Barney &
Smith's Machine Shops in Dayton, Ohio.

He is a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church; of
the Roanoke Lodge of Elks and was Exalted Ruler
from 1896 to 1897; the Knights of Columbus, and
was a member of the Roanoke Fire Board in 1902-3,
which position he resigned. He was elected to the
City Council in 1891 from the Third Ward and served
one term, and for many years was a member of the
Roanoke Hospital Board. In 1906 he was elected by
the council as a member of the City School Board
from District Number 2, and served for a period of
three years when he removed to District Number 1
on the south side of the railroad after which he was
again elected and has served for more than two years.
Since his last election he has been President of that
body and fills the position to the general satisfaction
of the public.

Mr. Welsh has at all times taken an active interest
in athletic affairs and from 1885 to 1890 was manager
of the Roanoke Baseball Club.

On October 1st, 1881, he married Sallie McDevitt,
daughter of James and Mary McDevitt of Philadelphia.
She died October 9th, 1900. Six children
were born to bless this union; namely, Edward, now
a traveling salesman, Mary, Anna, George H., Leola
and Edna.