LEVI WELCH

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 407-408:

Levi Welch

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section I, Post-office, Arthur).

   The parents of the subject of this sketch, Thomas and Nancy Welch, nee Pryor, were both natives of Tennessee, though their ancestry can be traced back to Irish and English families who became located in this country in an early day.  "Grandfather Welch," as he is referred to, located in Tennessee when that country was wild and unsettled, and when its inhabitants were wild animals.  His father, Thomas Welch, was an old Revolutionary soldier, and came to this continent during that struggle.  He and all the family were murdered by the Indians, the son only escaping by secreting himself in a hollow log while the others were being horribly butchered; afterwards he joined Washington's army.  He lived to be 110 years of age.  Thomas Welch (Levi's father) died in 1849, and and his widow in 1876.  To them were born a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, three of whom are now deceased.  Levi, whose name appears above, first saw the light in White county, Tenn., December 28, 1832.  A son of a farmer, he early learned the details of an agricultural life and to know what  hard work meant; consequently his educational advantages were somewhat limited, though by no means neglected, as later years have proven.  In 1854 he went across the plains to California with a large drove of cattle, reaching his destination five months after starting, and remaining there from October until the following August, when he returned.  In 1864 he took his family to California, but came from there to Vernon county, Mo., in 1868, and this has since been his home.  Here he is now numbered among the well-to-do, respected citizens of the county.  His valuable farm on 326 acres is well improved and bears evidence, as seen in its surroundings, of being the place of a progressive, intelligent agriculturist.  In 1856 Mr. Welch was married to Miss Rachel Pryor, who bore him eight children, five of whom are living:  Richard, a farmer near Milo; Robert, Lizzie, William and Emma, at home.  In January, 1878, Miss Lydia Smith became Mr. W.'s second wife, and they have two children, Lucy and James.  In politics he is known as a stanch Democrat.

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