Thomas Vincent Welch
| Thomas Vincent Welch | |
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| Member of the New York State Assembly |
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In office January 1, 1882 – December 31, 1884 |
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| Preceded by | James Low |
| Succeeded by | Walter P. Horne |
| Superintendent of the State Reservation at Niagara | |
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In office 1885–1903 |
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| Supervisor of the Town of Niagara | |
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In office 1877–1878 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 1, 1850 Camillus, New York |
| Died | October 20, 1903 (aged 53) Niagara Falls, New York |
| Political party | Democrat (1882–1903) |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Gill |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Thomas Welch Honor Holland |
| Occupation | Statesman, conservationist, civil servant |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Thomas Vincent Welch (October 1, 1850 – October 20, 1903) was a New York State Assemblyman and served as the first Superintendent of the New York State Reservation at Niagara, holding the post for 18 years. As a member of the New York State Assembly, Welch was a key player in the efforts to acquire the lands adjoining Niagara Falls, and to make them free for all to view.
Niagara Falls, New York was not always as we know it today. In the mid-19th century, heavy industries and mills crowded the shoreline near the falls, in order to take advantage of free power. These mills charged fees for visitors to view the falls, which were largely obstructed. A group of concerned citizens, politicians, and architects - including T.V.Welch - started the "Free Niagara" movement. When the bill making Niagara Falls free was signed on April 30, 1885, it was the culmination of a campaign in the New York State Legislature spearheaded by Thomas V. Welch. His efforts, and those of everyone involved, are documented in a pamphlet entitled How Niagara Was Made Free, which was published by the Niagara Frontier Historical Society, and in the annals of New York State.
Thomas Vincent Welch was born in Camillus, Onondaga County, New York (near Syracuse), the third of six children of Thomas and Honora (Holland) Welch, both Irish immigrants (from Kilmeena and Aghagower, respectively, both in County Mayo). His parents originally immigrated to Canada and were married in Cornville, Ontario on Aug.31, 1842 and later moved to Onondaga County. Sometime after his birth in 1850, his parents moved to the Niagara Falls area along with his two brothers - Edward and John. A sister born in 1848, Honora, died when she was eight months old. Once in the Niagara Falls area, however, his parents had two more children, Ellen in 1852 and Anne in 1856.
He was educated in the public schools in Niagara Falls and at an early age was employed at the New York Central Railroad Company as timekeeper in the shops in the village of Niagara Falls. In 1873 he was promoted to be freight agent of the Central Railroad there, a position he occupied for three years. In 1876 he left the railroad and went into the mercantile business.
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