 McKean County, Pennsylvania
KANE HOUSE
Photo of the KANE HOUSE - circa 1865? - 1920
Deb Whitney's Great Great Grandfather, George C. Welker - built it and was the proprietor of it. He owned it and he ran it until 1886 when he first son - shot and killed himself in it - due to delirium and medications for a sickness.
George C. Welker, hardware merchant is a native of Germany, born in Rhenish, Bavaria in 1836, a son of michael Welker. In 1853
the family came to America and located in philadelphia where the subject of our notice learned the shoemaker's trade and in 1857 moved to Williamsport, same state, where he worked at his trade until 1864 in which year
he came to Renovo and bought the Ulrich House, which he conducted about a year. In 1865 he came to Kane where he purchased the first lot where the town was laid out and surveyed and built the first house on the town site.
He opened a hotel and also engaged in the boot and shoe busines until 1886; he next became a member of the firm of Smith & Welker, dealers in hardware. he has ttaken great interest inbthe prosperity
of Kane and has been one of the foremost to asist all laudable enterprises. He has served several terms as a school
director. Mr. Welker married Rosa Richly, who died in 1883, leaving three children: Rosa, wife of W.B., Lizzie and Emma. In 1885 Mr. Welker married Mary Sullivan and they have two children: John and Edna. Mr. Welker is a member of Smethport lodge F & A. M.
and Williamsport lodge No. 570, I.O.O.F. In politics he votes independent of party.
Contributed by Deb Whitney
bradgirldeb@hotmail.com
|