Bio of WELKER, Atwood (b.1843), Wright Co., MN
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396            HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY 

Atwood Welker, a respected citizen now living in Delano, was born in
Cumberland county, Illinois, October 7, 1843, son of Peter and Eleanor 
(Creamer) Welker, the pioneers. He attended the district schools in his 
native county, and was thirteen years old when his parents brought him 
to this county. Here he attended two terms of three months each, in an 
old log school house in Franklin township. As he grew to manhood, he 
decided upon agriculture as his future occupation. August 8, 1864, he 
enlisted at Ft. Snelling in Co. G, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and did service 
in the Northwest against the Indians. He was mustered out August 11, 1865. 
After the war he located on a farm and started on his own responsibility. 
This tract consisted of twenty acres of wild land which he cleared. In 1868 
he secured an adjoining tract of ninety-three acres of school land in section 
36. He erected a frame house, cleared up the land, and as time passed 
developed a most excellent place. Here he and his good wife toiled for many 
years. In March, 1913, they retired and moved to Delano, where they now 
reside. Mr. Welker early became a prominent man in his township, and took 
part in many public movements. He was on the town board for several terms, 
and president of the Lyndale Creamery Asso- 

397   HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY

ciation for eighteen years. He belongs to the Odd Fellows at Delano, 
and the G. A. R. at Maple Plain. In the days of the Grange he was a most 
enhusiastic worker in that cause. 
January 1, 1872, Mr. Welker married Mary Alice Wright, born in Erie county, 
Penn., August 3, 1851, daughter of Clark A. and Myra (Woolsey) Wright. 
To this union have been born five children: Hittie E., Edwin A., Rolland J., 
Mary, and David E. Hittie E., was born December 18, 1872, and died August 29, 
1875. Edwin A. was born January 24, 1875, married Minnie Zieroth, and lives 
on the original farm of his grandfather, Peter Welker, the pioneer. 
Rolland J. was born August 24, 1877, married Mattie Low, and lives in 
Delano. Mary was born December 15, 1879, and married Edward Pickruhn, of 
Cokato. David was born January 5, 1883, married Clara Frank, and operates 
his father's farm.