Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Welty, John October 9, 1853 - ? ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 8, 2006, 2:04 pm Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado John Welty, of Saguache county, one of its most extensive and enterprising ranch and cattle men and most prominent and influential citizens, who came to this state in the spring of 1879 with almost no capital and has won his way to consequence here by hard knocks and persistent effort, is a native of Maryland, born near Smithburg, Washington county, on October 9, 1853. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Sanger) Welty, were natives of Pennsylvania, Franklin county, who moved into Maryland early in their married life and made that state their permanent home. They were successful farmers, and in politics the father earnestly supported the principles of the Republican party from its foundation. He died in 1892, his wife in 1899. Six of their children survive them, Mrs. Calvin Spielman, John, Jacob, Abraham, Mrs. John Frantz and Samuel. One daughter named Ida died a number of years ago. Their son John’s educational advantages were limited to those provided by the common schools of his native state. He remained at home, working on the farm until he reached the age of nineteen, then joined a party of emigrants to Kansas in 1872. He passed one month at Wilson Station in that state, and not being pleased with the outlook, moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he worked at the butchering business two years. In the winter of 1874 he went back east and located in Pennsylvania, where he butchered until the close of 1875. In the spring following he returned to St. Joseph, and there he worked at his trade and on farms for wages until August, then bought an eighty-acre farm in Andrew county, Missouri, which he farmed until the spring of 1879. At that time he sold all his personal interests in Missouri and came to Colorado. Locating in the Platte canyon, he gave his attention to sawmill work and cutting logs, remaining there until August, 1879, then moving to the vicinity of Greeley and Evans, where he was occupied in ranch work until fall. He then returned to Missouri, but in the spring of 1880 came again to this state, traveling overland by way of the Platte route and Denver to Leadville, and being fifty days on the journey. He reached Leadville in the latter part of May and at once engaged in hauling wood and lumber, which he kept at until the spring of 1882, when he put in four months freighting between Buena Vista and Aspen, and also did some hauling from Granite and Park counties. These occupations he continued until the spring of 1888, when he moved to Saguache county, and by pre-emption, homestead and timber culture claims secured a large tract of land. He remained on this land seven months, and at the end of that period bought the implements on his present ranch, to which he has added until it comprises one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres, all fit for cultivation, well fenced and supplied abundantly with water from ten artesian wells bored on the place. The dwelling is a fine modern stone house, the barn is first-class, and the other buildings and structures are in keeping with these, making the ranch one of the most highly improved in the county, while his skill and industry in cultivating it have made it one of the most productive. In addition to this he owns another ranch which comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is located in the “Forty-one Country,” and which yields eighty tons of hay annually. It is supplied with water from three artesian wells. On the home ranch wheat, oats and barley are raised with success, and large numbers of cattle, horses and hogs are maintained. This ranch is five and one-half miles northeast of Center, in a well-favored region and close to a good market. Mr. Welty has been active and serviceable in the local affairs of the county from his location here. He was one of the county commissioners in 1899, 1900 and 1901, and for many years had been a member of the school board. He is a self-made, prosperous and prominent citizen, and is well and favorably known throughout the county. On June 7, 1891, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Waltemath, a native of Warren county, Missouri, who died on February 1, 1901. They had five children. Of these two died in infancy and Samuel, John and Ada are living. Mr. Welty‘s present prosperity and consequence gave no indication of the trials and toil through which his triumphs have been won, except to one who is familiar with the conditions of pioneer life; neither does his mild and benignant disposition show forth in any impressive way the stern endurance and unyielding determination with which he encountered every difficulty and disaster of his long and eventful career. But the facts are all in his memory, and by the contrast they heighten the enjoyment of his present estate, and make him all the more appreciative of the opportunities for advancement he found in the state of his adoption, to whose welfare and lasting prosperity he is ardently devoted. Additional Comments: From Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/saguache/bios/welty237gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb