Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-09-08
John WELSH

| The disease Of which he died was caused
10y exposure on the Mississippi River; he
had been to market with small steam
boat laden with lumber from his saw-milI
and being short Of help oyer-worked him
self and took cold which resulted ii
tispasms and dysenterv; these soon conquer
ed his stout physical powers and death fol
lowed During his last Cay of illness he
made his ill, bequeathing his property to
wife and relatives, not having any children
Of his own to inherit the proceeds Of his
lifelong toll. He leaves a wife to mourn
his unexpected departure with many rela-
tives aud as many friends in circle Of fifty
miles as any man.
Deceased was the Oldest Of three sons of
ROBERT WELSH, the latter departing life
| in 80, aged 83. The family resided for
merry at Hasvell, Durham County, Eng
land, in which county their ancestors had
also lived for many generations. The fami-
ly remained united till 1884, when John
left with a small stock Of merchandise for
Sydney, Van Dieman's Land. Here he
engaged at a salary to superintend the con-
victs on an estate, and served for three
years. From his diary, kept day and date
from The first embarkation bit unfortunate
lily this relict is sadly torn, we learn hat he
exhibited remarkable observation Of things
in Yandieman's Land; he recorded his OBJ
servations of the direction of winds, peculi-
afities Of climate, thoughts upon trees, con
victs, soils, vegetation, DC. In 81, he re-
moved to Hobart's Town, in Australia, ta-
king with him a cargo Of potatoes upon
which he made heavy profits This place
is recorded as being 500 miles distant from
Sydney. He was one Of the first settlers
Of Hobart'sTown. Here he carried on lum-
bering, smithing and other kinds Of busi-
ness, also owned ferry boat. After re-
naming at this place four years, he sold
out bis property, bought AID shipped a
cargo Of wool to London in Al; he lost
money on the wool, but exchanged it for a
Iaood round sum in sovereigns. Purchasing
a coal mine in England, he discovered
thereon clay adapted for making earthern
ware; erecting a pottery lie carried on this
business for three years. In "A, he sold
out in England and emigrated to Wiscon-
sin that year; he purchased large land
property in Little Grant, upon which ne
has ever since resided-haying erected
thereon various buildings, including also a
mill and wooden factory, and adding lately
machinery for carding, DC. In '45--6, he
visited England; am returning, imported
several head of Durham cattle, by which
means this county has become well sap
Piled with that valuable and popular stock
in advance Of other parts Of the western
country. In sol, heagain visited Eng
land; returning, he imported direct from
the manufacturers Of Manchester a large
stack of merchandise, consisting mainly OF
cloths, corduroys, doe-skins, fustions and
various kinds Of hardware; he considered
this an experiment by which he found that
American wholesale dealers make a clean
profit of near so per cent, on British mer-
chandise over cost, tariff and transportation
charges.
Robert Welsh, tho father Of john, and
most Of the family emigrated, purchased
property and settled on Little Grant some
years ago. A large number Of fam
lilies, early acquaintance of the Welshes,
also removed from England some years ago
and settled in the same vicinity.
The funeral was largely attended on
Sunday last by the neighbors generally
and by many from distance. The funer-
al services were conducted by Rev. Mr..
Robinson, who preached good sermon
on the occasion, after which the remains OF
this excellent man were carried and depos-
I tied in their final "esting place in the fam
lily cemetery.
John Welsh was a useful man, and lived
land concerned himself much of his time
for the help of others. He could not re-
sist the appeals for help suggested by dis
tress or want, and would aid others to his
last dollar, although in the greatest need
himself. He thus became Of late hard W
but not seriously embarrassed. lie was
natural machinist, could make almost any
thing with tools that ever was made, and
rarely ever met his matca, except with an
old carding machine which he once under
took but failed to regenerate. lie was ex-
ceeding cautious but visionary, the latter
often getting the better Of the former, and
leading him into impracticable things