Bancroft, Hubert Howe. The History of Oregon, Vol. I 1834-1848. From "The Works
of Hubert Howe Bancroft," Vol. XXIX.  The History Company, San Francisco, CA,
1886. pg. 468.

JAMES WELCH

	James Welch, born in Clark County, Kentucky, February 16, 1816, removed with
his parents to Missouri.  On their deaths, he was, when about 6, bound to a
planter till about 18.  Then, after learning the brick-mason's trade, he removed
to what is now Muscatine, Iowa, where in 1840 he married Miss Nancy Dickinson.
He left Missouri for Oregon April 4, 1844, arriving in Oregon City in December.
Later in 1845 he paid $2,000 for a half interest in a donation claim at Fort
George, now Astoria's site. The next spring, with David Ingalls, he settled
there with his family, the first white family to settle in the place.  He built
the first home there.  In 1847 he packed salmon.  Visiting California in 1848,
he returned in 1849 and engaged in the lumber trade.  In 1850 he built a second
house; it subsequently gave place to another, in which his widow still lives.
For several years he was active in handling lumber, fishing and merchandising.
In 1861-4 he was in the Idaho mines.  Returning, he engaged in boating and
fishing, but health failing, he retired, partially from business.  He held
several offices of trust.  On September 29, 1876, while visiting his son, James
W. Welch, internal revenue collector at Walla Walla, he died suddenly while
asleep.  There still live in 1887, of his 3 girls and 7 boys, Jas. W., John W.,
Daniel H., Mrs Sarah F. Woods, and Mrs Mary I. Herron, all living in Clatsop Co.
His wife, born in Washington Co., Ohio, in 1818, still resides in Astoria.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project by Jenny Tenlen. Submitter has no
additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.