William Walch

    William Walch, of the Madison Machine Company, was born February 4, 1845, in Cincinnati, Ohio; was the son of William and Anastia (Cavinaugh) Walch, who were both natives of Ireland, and came to this country in 1843. His father was a cooper by trade, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was at work, at the age of 33 years. His mother died in 1868, at the age of 48 years, at her home in Madison, Indiana.

    Mr. Walch came to Madison, Indiana with his parents, when only six months old. He attended the Catholic schools of this city, wand when only 14 years old commenced to learn his trade, that of a machinist, at the old Neal foundry of this city, where he continued for three years. At the breaking out of the war this foundry closed down. In 1862 Mr. Walch worked as journeyman in the Indiana foundry of this city, where he remained about fourteen months, when he took a position with Cobb, Stribling & Co., foundry men, also of Madison, and worked for them as journeyman for four years, when he was made foreman, and continued as foreman for them for four years more.

    In 1872, Mr. Walch formed a partnership with John McKenna and Julius Halfenberger, and bought the Indiana foundry, firm name being McKenna, Walch & Co. This firm continued for there years, when McKenna withdrew from the firm, and the firm name became Walch & Halfenberger. This firm continued for four years, when Mr. Halfenberger died. Mr. U. B. Stribling bought the interest of the heirs, and the firm name was changed to Stribling & Walch, and they continued for five years, when they sold out to the Madison machine Company (the present company), in the year 1885. Mr. Walch is now superintendent of the Madison Machine Co., and one of the principal stockholders of the concern.

    Mr. Walch was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Cavinaugh, of Madison, Indiana, who died in 1882, at the age of 37 years, leaving three children, of whom only two are now living -Maggie and Thomas. Mr. Walch is a member of the Catholic Church and of the order of the Catholic Knights of America.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.