Charles Edwin Welch came to California a poor boy,and by industry and steady perseverance has attained a competency and position of influence among the citizens of Stanislaus.To show the trials and experiences of the pioneer, we give Mr. Welch's account in his own words,as given us:
"I was born in Athens,in the State of Maine,in the year 1840. My fathers name is Phillip Hubbard Welch,was of the same county and state, and my mother, Delia M. Welch, was from Brunswick,Maine.In the fourth year of my age(1844),my parents sold out their little farm and emigrated to the city of Portland,Maine. My father's means being limited,the children only had the advantages of a common school education.
"In 1849,when the gold excitement of California broke out,my father sailed,in September of that year, around Cape Horn, in the brig Ruth,for the land of gold,arriving in SanFrancisco in the month of February following,after a five month's voyage.The vessel belonging to a joint stock company,they sold her out and disbanded,and started for the mines.
"My father located in Columbia,Tuolumne County,where he made money fast,got together about fifteen thousand dollars,and had it deposited with Adams & Co. at the time of the failure of that firm.My father,being somewhat discouraged and homesick, sent back for the family to come.My mother,being unable to sell the property to advantage, could not come.I gave my mother no oeace until she consented to let me go in advance to my father.
"On the 14th of November,1854,I bid adieu to my kind and dear mother and three little brothers,and started on the broad and deep road to the golden State by way of Nicaragua.Three days up the Nicaragua we had a nice trip, shooting at crocodiles and alligators lying along the banks of the river.Crossed the isthmus lying between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific ocean,twelve miles,by land.The natives furnished the passengers with conveyances and ponies, the latter not larger than four month colts,the saddles similar to pack-saddles,cross-trees withnrawhide stretched over them,and large block stirrups.These ponies are generally contrary:after getting two or three miles on the road they will commence turning around and around,run backwards and fall down,and jump and work their way nearly back to where they started from.My kuck was to transport myself on one of that class of amiable animals, for I must say I had the worst one in the crowd that I started with.My companions got tired of trying to help me along, for they had about all they could do to navigate themselves.
Finally I and my steed were left alone on the road,and while trying to persuade the animal to move,a native lady came galloping up the road, and seeing I could proceed no further without aid,volunteered her valuable services,and riding up to that prostrate brute,s
she administered about fifty cuts with her whip,when my pony became very anxious to go: so mounting the steed,in company with the lady freind we dashed off at the rate of twelve miles an hour,arriving at the hotel some half an hour ahead of the parties that I started with.I shall never forget the kindness
shown mr by that lady.
INCIDENTS OF PIONEER TIMES
"The next morning I embarked on the steamer Uncle Sam, and arrived in San
Francisco on December 9th,twenty-three days from NewYork.Remaining in SanFrancisco a few days,I went to Stockton,thence to Knight's Ferry,in company with two other parties,on foot-my first black mud traveling experience,of
which a few miles went along ways,as shown by the distance gained in a hard days walk in the rain,which only got me to the 'Fourteen-Mile House',fourteen miles from Stockton.I obtained a good meal,and lodged in the barn that night,as that was the only accommodations.The next daybwe took passage on the stage for Columbia,Toulumne
County,where we arrived just about dusk and stopped at a french restaurant.
"Here upon inquiry, I found that my father had removed to Sonora.The next morning ,the noisiest man I ever heard was Old Sam Deligar,the stage driver from Columbia to Sonora,drumming up passengers."Old Sam"
was familiarly known by the old residents of this county,for many years afterweards;but has long since been dead.
"At Sonora I found my father and oldest brother,Phillip L.;they were engaged in mining their claim,which was situated just east of Lucas'Star Hotel,on Shaw's flat.I remained with my father and brother about six months,
building reservoirs and ditches,etc.Water was very high-four dollars per day for a nine inch head.The claim paid very well for a short time,
but finally dwindled down.The Placer mines at that time were generally paying very well.So I left our little mining camp and went on my own resources,getting a job with a man by the name of George Conant,from Massachusettsat four dollars per day.I afterwards worked in a river claim on the Tuolumne,on Stevens 'Bar,in the night gang,shoveling tailings from a dump box in water knee deep;got good pay,but lots of hard ,disagreeable work.
"I then tried farming a while,came down to the valley in May,1856,and went to work through harvest for Mr.Langworty,residing then near Stockton.After harvest, I fell in with old Major Bradley,ex-Governor of the State of
Nevada,vaqueroed for him on the SanJoaquin about eighteen months,When I came over on the Tuolumne river and went to work for Frank Sturge, and remained in this locality ever since.
" In the year 1860, at Horr's Ranch,I was married to Sarah E. Ramsey,from Benton County,Missouri.In 1864 I took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres,on which I still reside.We have four boys and five daughters living,and one daughter dead, My oldest son's name is Albion F. Welch,aged twenty tears the 10th of February,1881.My second son's name is Charles M. Welch;my third son,Walter W, Welch;fourth son,Marion E.Welch.Eldest daughter,Martha E.Welch;second daughter, Mary D. Welch;third daughter, Laura J,Welch;fourth,Clara B.Welch;
fifth(dead)Lula J.Welch;sixth,Alice Edna Welch