Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/290

 232 -HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY WELCH TOWNSHIP. Welch includes the east half of government township 114 north of range 16 west, and the whole of township 113 north of range 16 west, except that part which lies south of the Cannon river. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi river, on the east by Burnside, on the south by Vasa and on the west by Dakota county. The surface is much broken, but rarely rocky except along the immediate bluffs. The valleys are generally rich alluvial, but in the northern part of the town the valley which is tributary to the Mississippi at Etter .is gravelly and sandy, with terraces scantily clothed with crooked oaks and bushes. A magnificent view is afforded from the high land near the church on the northwest corner of section 15. The mounds south of Hastings can be seen distinctly, also the smoke from Bastings and the high land above Hastings on each side of the St. Croix valley. The middle of the township is rolling prairie, the northern portion consists of a large part of Prairie Island, bordering the Mississippi and the Vermillion rivers. Those interested in the story of Welch should read the early history of Burnside, the record of the early days being identical, owing to the fact that they were under one government. The Indian settlement on Prairie Island is also treated of under the head of Burnside in this history. Settlers came into Welch, both from Dakota and Goodhue- counties, in 1855-56. but these settlers left for what to them seemed more desirable locations in more southerly and prairie- like townships. These settlers left no record of their occupancy, and have now passed from memory. The permanent settlers did not come until 1857-58, Welch being the last township to be taken up by the homesteaders. Among these permanent settlers, were E. W. Carver. William Boothroyd, Michael Henry, John Bloom, Gohcham Esta. D. 0. Swanson, Benjamin Beavers and N. C. Crandall. March 23. 1864, on petition, the board of commissioners divided Burnside by setting off the east fractional half of town- ship 114, range 16, and all of township 113, range 16, lying north of the Cannon river and called it Grant. Another township in the state already bore that name, and the state auditor, under date of December 31. 1871, directed a change of name. January 3, 1872, the commissioners took up the matter and changed the name to Welch, in honor of the late Major Abram Edwards Welch, of Red Wing. The first board of officers, while the town still bore the name of Grant, were: Supervisors, A. Coons (chairman), Joseph Eggleston, Benjamin Bevers; town clerk, J. B. Waugh ; treas-