John was born on Sunday, May 29th and was his parents', Thomas Buchanon Walsh and Annie Gertrude Murphy's, first child. During this time period, Bakerton was called Oak Grove. John was likely given the middle name of Martin after his Uncle, who died only a few years prior.

A one year old John is enumerated in his parents household in the 28th district (Harpers Ferry District) with his cousin, Michael, a young Elizabeth Slavin, and a boarder, William Jackson. Thomas was working as a laborer, likely for the Flanagan family.

At 11 years old, John is enumerated in his parent's household near Bolivar (likely the Oak Grove area). His father, Thomas, is listed as currently working in the stone quarry, likely the Flanagan quarry. John attended school within the year and can read but cannot yet write. Due to the household's neighbors, we surmise that the family was living right outside of present day Bakerton on present day Bakerton Road.

Nearing 16 years old, John lost his father, Thomas, due to a bout of pneumonia. Thomas left a large family with many young children. The family buried him in St. Peters Cemetery alongside his oldest brother, Martin.

21 year old John is enumerated in his newly widowed mother's household, near Bolivar. The location appears to have been the same house from the 1870 census. John, along with his two younger brothers Thomas and Patrick, are working to sustain the household. John and Thomas are working as laborers, likely for the quarries, and Patrick is working as a farm laborer. The three oldest boys were likely following in their father's footsteps, all working for the Flanagan family. John's cousin, Michael, had started his family is living in the next household down.

On a Saturday, John married Miss Clara Dae Myers of Samples Manor in Washington County, Maryland. Clara was a daughter of Alfred Hamilton and Mary Jane Henry Myers

John and Clara's first child, Roy Martin was born on a Monday in Bakerton. Roy was given his father's middle name.

John and Clara's second child and second son was born on a Wednesday at Bakerton. The boy was named Lawrence Henry Welsh. Lawrence was given the maiden name of his maternal grandmother as a middle name, although his Uncle Patrick Welsh also shared the middle name of Henry.

On Monday, the first of July, the couple's third child, but first daughter, was born. The couple named the girl Bessie Irene. Bessie likely received her middle name from her father's side of the family. John's sister, Katie, shared the middle name of Irene.

John and Clara's fourth child was born on a Saturday. They gave their daughter the name Anna Mary.

Daniel Thomas Welsh, the couple's fifth child and third son, was born on a Tuesday, probably in Washington County. John gave his son the middle name of Thomas after his younger brother, Thomas B. Welsh.

John and Clara's sixth child and third daughter, Martha Mae, was born on a Wednesday at Bakerton.

John and Clara lost their youngest son, who was not quite two years old. The grieving parents buried their young son in Samples Manor Cemetery. The cause of death for the toddler is currently unclear.

The couple's youngest child, a daughter, was born on a Monday in November. They named their daughter Pearle Virginia.

John is enumerated along with his wife and children in the Harpers Ferry district (Bakerton). John notes that he is 41 years old, born in May of 1859 in Virginia. He states that he has been married to Clara for 18 years. He lists his parents' birth locations as Ireland. He is currently employed as a stationary engineer at the Bakerton quarries. John and Clara both note that they own the home in which they live, and that it is free and clear of mortgage.

John, Clara, and five of their children are enumerated in Bakerton on a Sunday. John is currently 50 years old, and has been married to his wife for 27 years. The couple notes that they have 7 children, 6 of which are living. John lists his occupation as a lime kiln laborer. Their oldest son, Roy, is also working as a laborer who does odd jobs around the community. John notes that both he and his mother were born in West Virginia, however his father was born in Ireland.

60 year old John is enumerated in the 1920 census with his wife and his oldest child, Roy Martin, and youngest child, Pearl Virginia. John is a laborer at the lime kilns and owns his home free of mortgage. His son, Roy, is also working as a laborer at the kilns.

The Shepherdstown Register reported that John was very ill with typhoid fever, but appeared to be getting along better.

John lost his mother, Annie Gertrude Welsh, on a Friday in November. She left each of her children $1, to be paid by her executor, William Franklin Welsh. William was John's youngest brother, and he took care of her in her aging years. The family buried Annie beside her husband, Thomas, in St. Peters Cemetery.

Only 4 years after the death of his mother, John lost his wife, Clara, to gastro-intestinal autointoxication. They had been married for 43 years. John buried his wife in Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown.

John died the day after Christmas, a Wednesday, from a case of the flu. Only two years earlier had his wife passed away.

The family buried John beside his wife in Elmwood Cemetery at Shepherdstown, the Friday following Christmas.