Santa Clara County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

 

 

HENRY THOMAS WELCH

 

 

            HENRY THOMAS WELCH. Perhaps no professional calling so well illustrates the rapid advance made in science during the past quarter of a century as that of dentistry, more especially as applied to animals. This branch of dental surgery is finely represented by Henry Thomas Welch, of San Jose, a noted horse breeder and raiser, who has acquired a wide reputation for his skill and ability as a veterinary dentist. Of New England ancestry, he was born April 8, 1847, in Cumberland county, Me„ (sic) a son of Thomas H. and Mercy (Washburn) Welch.

            Leaving the parental roof when a young man, Mr. Welch went to Portland, Me., where he served a full apprenticeship in the Forest City Dyeing House, becoming an expert in the dyeing of silk, cotton and woolen goods. Enlisting in December, 1863, in Company E, First Maine Cavalry, he served until the close of the Civil war, when he was honorably discharged, with a good record for courage and bravery. Returning to Maine, he followed his trade in his native state for about five years. Removing to San Francisco in 1870, Mr. Welch worked as a dyer in that city and Oakland for about a year and a half, and then came to San Jose to take charge of the dyeing department of the San Jose Woolen Mills. While thus employed he discovered the first successful black dye for Angora goat skins, and later found a method by which these goat skins could be tanned for gloves. He made considerable money on these important discoveries, both of which are still extensively used. Subsequently resigning his position, Mr. Welch, with eight companions, went to Aspinwall, South America, on a gold mining expedition. Going from Aspinwall into the interior, the party found an abundance of gold, but the natives would not work, and the climate was so unhealthful that all but two of the party died from a fever contracted in that malarial region. Mr. Welch and his remaining companion, who was then more dead than alive, got aboard a canoe, and put out to sea, thus saving their lives. Disgusted with that country, Mr. Welch returned to San Jose, resuming his trade, at which he worked for awhile.

            Subsequently receiving as a gift, from the father of Governor Pardee, one of his very warm friends, a thoroughbred colt, Mr. Welch became interested in the breeding of fine horses, to which he has since paid great attention. This colt, which he named Pardee, was sired by Director, its dam being Santa Claus, and is known far and wide as one of the finest stallions on the Pacific coast. Mr. Welch has since largely increased his stud, owning Royal Flush No. 33028, by Nushagak No. 22939, and having some breeding mares of a superior grade. Becoming an expert in handling and doctoring horses while he was in the military service, Mr. Welch continued the study of these animals, and is now a very skillful veterinary dentist, and has built up a large practice in this branch of surgery, his patronage extending throughout the city and valley, his yards and stables being at No. 131 Hobson street.

            Mr. Welch married Olive A. Hall, who was born in Cumberland county, Me., a daughter of Capt. Silas Hall, a seafaring man. Their only child, Maud, married Judge C. W. Davidson, of San Jose, by whom she has one son. Mr. Welch is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and past grand, and is also a member of the Battlefield Veterans, and a member, and past commander, of the John A. Dix Post, G. A. R.

 

 

 

 

Transcribed by Marie Hassard 22 September 2015.

­­­­Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 782. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.

© 2015  Marie Hassard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Clara Biography

Golden Nugget Library