From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana            Page 695

Rawson Welch was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1819, a son of Joseph and Mary (Cutler) Welch, early settlers of Ohio.  His father died when he was a child and he was bound to Captain L. Lee to learn the woolen-weaver's trade, remaining with him till twenty-one years of age, and soon after embarked in business for himself at Marysville, Ohio, where he was successful and accumulated a property valued at $10,000, which was totally destroyed by fire in 1864 with no insurance.  He then bought an interest in a mill at Mechanicsburg, and while en route to the place learned that it was burned.  He helped rebuild the mill at Mechanicsburg, and continued in business there two years.  He then returned to Marysville and in 1868 moved to Angola, where he has built up a good business.  Mr. Welch was married in April, 1846, in Berkshire, Delaware Co., Ohio, to Almira Thall,a native of Berkshire, born March 29, 1829.  They have had ten children-seven of whom are living-Frances, wife of George Hamden; Sarah A., wife of J. C. Gale; Willis F., Stella, Arthur A., Thomas F., and Emma.  Artemus, Howard and an infant are deceased.  Mrs. Welch is a member of the Disciples Church.