Bio of Welch, Samuel D. (b.1837) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Welch, Samuel D. (p. 587), a Wabasha County pioneer, residing in Zumbro
Falls, was born in the Province of Quebec, Lower Canada, May 22, 1837, son
of Samuel D., Sr., and Lizzie (Waite) Welch, the mother being a daughter
of Enoch Waite. The paternal grandfather, Welch, was from Wales, while
Enoch Waite, of the maternal line, was from Holland. The Welch family
settled at an early date in Concord, N. H., where Samuel D. Welch, Sr.,
was born, and where he lived until he reached maturity. He then moved to
Canada, locating close to the New York line. Though Samuel D. Welch, Jr.,
was born in Canada, he was reared in New York state on a farm. There his
father died in 1845. The mother survived her husband, dying in 1873 at the
home of her son, Edward, in Iowa. They had a family of ten children,
evenly divided as to the sexes. All of them are now deceased, except
Samuel D. and his sister, Mrs. Catharine Fountain, who is living at
Fremont, Ohio, with a daughter. Samuel D. Welch, Jr., remained on the farm
in New York state until 22 years of age, attending school during the
winters. In 1859 he came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating on a farm in
the town of Hyde Park, on which he followed agriculture for 14 years. He
then sold his farm and opened a hardware store and implement business at
Millville, remaining there 10 years. At the end of that time, or about
1883, he came to Zumbro Falls, and bought a half interest in the general
store of E. J. Stegner, of whom he later purchased the entire business.
Subsequently he sold a half interest to his son-in-law, L. E. Scruby, and
the business has since been carried on under the style of L. E. Scruby &
Co. The concern occupies three buildings for store and warehouses, and
deals in general merchandise, including wall paper and paints, with Mr.
Scruby as the active manager. Samuel D. Welch, in addition to being one of
the surviving pioneers of this county, is a Civil War veteran. He enlisted
in August, 1862, in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry, and served two years
and nine months. His early service was against the Sioux Indians, then in
revolt, and his regiment being subsequently sent to the South, he took
part in the battle of Murphreesboro. After being mustered out he returned
to Minnesota and has been a respected citizen of Zumbro Falls. He was
first president of the village council, holding that office for two years,
and for 16 years served as justice of the peace at Millville. While living
on the farm he served efficiently in various town offices, including that
of treasurer. Mr. Welch was married in 1865 in the town of Gillford to
Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of O. L. and Martha Oliver, her parents being
natives of New York state and early settlers in Wabasha County. They are
both now deceased. Of this union a daughter, Mary, was born, who is now
the wife of L. E. Scruby, of Zumbro Falls. Mrs. Elizabeth Welch died in
1908, since which time Mr. Welch has made his home with his daughter.