WELSH, PATRICK, a retired citizen of Springfield, has lived in the city sixty years. He was born in County Limerick, Ireland, about 1834, and is a son of John and Mary (McGrath) Welsh, who lived on a farm seven miles fro the City of Limerick. The father died and the mother married again. Patrick Welsh received his education in his native country and as a boy accompanied his mother and step-father to America. They landed in Quebec, Canada, and the young man found employment in a furniture factory in Troy, N.Y. He was married, while a resident of the State of New York, to Miss Bridget Hogany, and they came to Springfield, Ill., where he found employment on the Wabash Railroad. He was employed in various capacities and eventually purchased two acres of land surrounding his home. Mrs. Welsh died in Springfield and he married (second) Katy Christy, who also died in Springfield. Mr. Welsh married (third), February 2, 1878, Miss Kate Maron, who was born in County Monahan, Ireland, a daughter of Barney and Catherine (Finnegan) Maron. She came to America as a child but her parents died in Ireland.

By his first marriage Mr. Welsh and two children, John and Michael, of San Francisco, Cal. By his second marriage he had one child who died at the age of fourteen years. By his third marriage he had children as follows: Patrick, went to Australia; Bridget, Mrs. John O'Laughlin, of Springfield; Nora, Mrs. Charles Walls, of Springfield; Daniel Richmond, died at the age of fourteen years; Catherine and Bernard Hugh, at home; Mary Frances and Margaret Emma. Mr. Welsh has witnessed many important changes and improvements in Springfield since locating there and has contributed his share toward promoting the best interests of the community. He is upright and reliable and well liked by his many friends. He is an active member of St. Joseph's Church and in politics is a stanch Democrat. He was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln and often played ball with him.