John C. Welker
Of the representative farmers of Chippewa Township, Wayne County, none stand higher in the respect and confidence of the public than this gentleman. His industry has won him a competency, and his integrity the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He was born in Birkenfeld, Oldenburg, Germany, December 25, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Ault) Welker. He was reared and educated in his native country, and served six years and five months in the German army under the Grand Duke of Oldenburg. He learned the blacksmith's trade under his father and brother, and came to America in 1851, stopping eight months in Philadelphia, and in February, 1852, he located in Litchfield, Medina Co., Ohio, where he worked as a journeyman five years.
In 1857 he settled in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and embarked in business for himself as a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and here he was successfully engaged for twenty years. In 1877 he located on the farm he now ccupies in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. In January, 1856, he married Rebecca, daughter of Christopher and Sally (Hollowville) Lance, of Chatham, Ohio, and by her has had nine children, as follows: Sally (Mrs. William Miller), Louisa, John C., Jr., Franklin A., Julia A., Henry M., Rebecca J (Mrs. H.C. Gross), Albert F. and Marian C. Mr. Welker is a member of the German Reformed Church; he is a Democrat.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889