ROBERT WELSEN, farmer, miller, etc., P. O. Villa Ridge, was born in Saxony, Germany, February 28, 1832, son of Gotthelf and Regina Welsen. The father was a farmer in Saxony, and was raised and died there. They were the parents of thirteen children, our subject being the youngest, and the only one of the family to emigrate to America. He received his education in the high schools of his native country. In 1850, he came to the United States, to New Orleans, then New Albany, Ind., where he worked in a foundry and learned the trade. July 10, 1857, he came to Mound City, and worked at his trade for a short time, but soon quit and engaged in other business for himself. Since 1860, he has been engaged in saw and grist mill business in Missouri, in Mound City, and since 1873 at his present location. He is also engaged in farming, his farm contains eighty acres, and lies one-half mile north of Villa Ridge. At New Albany, Ind., April 22, 1855, he was married to Margaret Vogle. She was born in Bavaria, April 13, 1834, to Wolfgang and Kate Vogle. He died in the old country. Mrs. Welsen came to America with her mother in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Welsen have three children — Emma, John F. and Flora. They were reared in the Lutheran Church.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 297.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
