Welch Township

Welch Township

This township, located in the extreme northern part of the county, was among the last to be secured by the early settlers. Although claims were made in 1855-6, they were soon abandoned for the deserted homesteads in the south part of the county. These opportunities were eagerly watched by the temporary pioneers of this township, and not until 1857 and '58 was a permanent settlement made. These changes were so common, that it is impossible to trace out the first claim that was secured. Many of them returned to their native State, while others sought new fields. Among those of the early pioneers of this township and county is William Boothroyd, a native of England, who settled in Red Wing in 1851, where he resided until 1858; settled in this township in 1866, and on his present estate, being the largest landholder in the town. Among those who have been most prominently identified with the interests of the town and county is Hon. N. C. Crandall, the only American resident of the township who settled in Dakota county in 1861. In the fall of 1869 he came to this county and settled on his present estate. Has been justice of the peace three years, and is township clerk at the present time. He represented this district in the last legislature, and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town and county. Among others of the early settlers is E. W. Carver, Michael Henry, John Bloom, Gohcham Esta, D. O. Swanson and others, to whom much credit is due to their interest in the growth and development of the township.

BLOOM, JOHN, farmer, P. 0. Vasa. Born in Sweden in 1832, and emigrated to this country in 1854, first settling in Taylors Falls, thence to Stillwater and Marine Mills, Washington county, Minn., where he enlisted in 1862, in 7th Minn. I., Co. C, and served three years, participating in the battles of Tupelo, Nashville, Tallahatchie River and siege of Spanish forts. Also against the Indians in same regiment, engaging in several battles. Was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and returning settled in Vasa, where he lived two years, when he moved to this township, and in 1868 married Anna Couple. She was born in Sweden in 1844. Owns farm of ninety acres, valued at §4,000. Is chairman of the board, and director of schools, and is well known. John F. and Charles L. are their children.

B00THR0YD, WILLIAM, farmer, sec. 10, P. 0. Eggleston. Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1833. Emigrated to this country in 1855, and settled in Red Wing, where he married Mary A. Revers in 1858. She was born in Morgan county, 111., in 1838. After marriage moved to Featherstone township, and purchased eighty acres of land where he settled and resided until 1866, when he came to this township and settled on his present estate, consisting of 410 acres, valued at $16,000. Is director of schools, and is well known throughout the town and county. Carrie J., Charles W., Benjamin B., Albert R. and Frank, and one adopted daughter, Nellie M., are their living children. Lost one child, Grant.

ing but a short time, when he moved to Dakota county, lived there three years, when he came to this county, where he married Ellen Robinson in 1870. She was born in Sweden in 1850. Settled on his present estate in 1872, consisting of 140 acres, valued at $35 per acre. Held the office of district clerk, and are members of the Lutheran Church. Aleda, Oscar and Esta are their children.

CARLSON, E. JL? farmer, sec. 13, P. 0. Eggleston. Born in Sweden in 1849. Emigrated to this country in 1869, and on his present estate in 1870, consisting of eighty acres, valued at $40 per acre. Same year married Annie Limblaw. She was born in Sweden in 1848. Has been supervisor three years, and fills that office at the present time. Also school treasurer of this district and clerk of the Swede church, of which he and his family are members. Mary, Charles and Gustave, are their living children.

CRANDALL, NEWTON C, farmer, sec. 5, P. 0. Hastings. Born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., in March, 1838. Emigrated to this State in 1861, and settled in Dakota county, where in 1868 he married Eliza A. Secor. She was born in Beloit, Wis., in 1851. Came to this county in the fall of 1869, and purchased his present estate of 160 acres, valued at . $40 per acre. Represented this county in the State Legislature, is justice of the peace, town clerk, and has been identified with the interests of the town, county and State. Is also a deacon in the Congregational Church. Jessie L., Ray, Clara E. and Eugene Lincoln, are their children.

ESTA, OORCHAM, farmer, sec. 19, P. 0. Esta. Born in Germany, in 1820. Married Doraty Devaka, in 1850. She was born in Germany, in 1830. Emigrated to the United States in 1852, and settled in Galena, Ills., and in 1854, came to this State and settled in Hennepin county, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land and resided thereon until 1867, when he moved to this county and settled on his present estate, consisting of 520 acres, valued at $40 per acre. He is the largest landholder in this township; is treasurer of the school district, road supervisor 2 years, and supervisor one term; being well known and otherwise identified with the interests of the town and county. Gusta, Louisa, Lena, Anna, Leda and Sarah, are their living children. Lost two children, John and Jacob. Are members of Lutheran church.

Erickson, P. M., farmer, sec. 30, P. 0. Eggleston. Erickson, E., farmer, sec. 31, P. 0. Eggleston. Erickson, Andrew, farmer, sec. 26, P. 0. Eggleston. Ebersold, John, farmer, sec. 30, P. 0. Eggleston.

SWANSON, D. 0., farmer, sec. 32, P. 0. Vasa. Born in Sweden in 1844. Married Parmela Nelson in 1866. She was born in Sweden in 1844. Emigrated to America in 1868, and came to this county same year, settling in Vasa, where he lived until 1872, when he moved to this township and settled on his present estate, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $3,000. Fills the office of constable, and are members of Lutheran Church. Swan 0., Selma, Matilda, Amanda and Nancy are their living children. Lost two children.

WATERS, THOMAS, farmer, sec. 11, P. 0. Red Wing. Born in New Orleans in 1827. Emigrated and settled in Jacksonville, 111., where he lived twelve years, when he moved to Qunicy, and in 1861 married Sarah McGinnis. She was born in Winchester, 111., in 1825. After marriage purchased and settled on his present estate, consisting of 440 acres, valued at $40 per acre. In 1877 his wife died of dropsy, after an illness of three years, leaving six children - Charles, John, Ida, Minnie, Sarah and Annie. Lost one child that died in infancy.

BUNCH, Q., farmer, sec. 18, P. 0. Eggleston. Born in North Carolina, Oct. 4, 1826. Emigrated to Ohio with parents, and then to Michigan. Came to this county April, 1856, settling in Red Wing, where he lived nine years. Enlisted in Co. D, 1st Minn. V. I., and honorably discharged. Married Helen S. Budd in Michigan, Aug. 3, 1856. She was born in Vermont, Feb. 14, 1831. They had two children - Clara E., born Dec. 10, 1857, and Helen S., April 10, 1869. Mr. Bunch married for his second

Source changes here: from Goodhue County, Minnesota, Past and Present, by [Hancock, Joseph Woods], published 1893; 476 words in this source stream.

Welch Township

This town includes the east half of government township, 111 north, of range 1(3 west, and the whole of township 113 north of range 16 west, except that part which lies south of Cannon river. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi river, east by Buruside, south by Vasa, and west by Dakota county. The surface in the southern part is broken. The middle is rolling prairie, having an excellent soil. The nurthern portion consists of a large portion of Prairie Island, bordering the Vermillion and Mississippi rivers. There is plenty of wood along the rivers. The town was first organized under the name of Grant, 1864, It was soon after changed to the present name in honor of Judge Wm. H. Welch, who was Chief Justice of Minnesota territory, under the administration of President Pierce.

A.mong the first permanent settlers were, E. W. Carver, William Boothroyd, Michael Henry, John Bloom, Gohcham Esta, D. O. Swanson and N. C. Crandall.

Ou the sixth day of September, 1864, a special town meeting was called for the purpose of voting a tax to raise money to pay volunteers to fill the quota required from the town, at which meeting it was voted to raise six hundred dollars as bounty to volunteers for the confederate war. Another war meeting was held February 11, 1865, for the purpose of raising more bounty money. At this meeting seven hundred dollars were voted to be raised to pay volunteers if they could be obtained ; if not, to pay the money to the men who stood the draft. E. W. Carver was selected to look after the matter of obtaining men to fill the town's quota. Those who went to the war from this town were: Pliilo Brown, J. S. Nelson and S. S. Twitchell.

The name of the town was changed from Grant to Welch in January, 1872. The first town board for Welch was : M. Henry, Thomas Brenner and Michael Hart, supervisors; J. S. Nelson, clerk.

The Swedish Lutheran church was erected in 1878, at a cost of $1,600, and its membership is about 180. The store at Welch Mills, a station on the Cannon Valley road, was built in 1886, at a cost of $500. An elevator was erected there in 1890 at a cost of $1,500, with a capacity of about 25,000 bushels.

There are four school districts in this township in each of which is a good school house, the erection of which cost from $500 to $800 for each one.

Among those who have been prominently identified with the interests of the town and county, is the Hon. N. C. Craudall, who settled here in 1869. He repre-

Prothinent among the farmers of the county, is Mr. William Boothroyd, of this town, who has taken much interest in improving the breed of horses.