Elizabeth Ada Welch
Elizabeth Ada
Welch
Died Dec. 15, 1883
Aged 38 Y’rs
3 Mo’s 4 D’ys
WELCH
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Photo of earlier condition of headstone
Provenance: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
2. Photo of earlier condition of headstone
Provenance: Gerron Hite, Texas Historical Commission
3. Headstone Manufactured Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, CT
A. Article by the Bridgeport Public Library.
B. Article in Scientific American (November 14, 1885)
Research by: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
2. Page 309
4. Notice of Placement of Monument
A handsome monument has been erected in the city cemetery to the memory of Mrs. Ada Welch, late wife of Stanley Welch, Esq.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, February, 1885, p. 5, col. 1
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
5. Biography
Elizabeth Ada initially married Dr. David D. Lovell whose story is told in "The Kingdom of Zapata" by Virgil Lott and Mercurio Martinez, (see especially pages 51, 52). The index of census of 1870 lists Elizabeth with Lovell but his name is given as James and his occupation is given as "grocer ret." They are both from England and reside in Carrizo of Zapata County. Records indicate that D. D. Lovell came to that area about 1864 probably because of his kinsmen, Henry Redmond. Redmond had set up a home and merchandising center surrounded by a wall and with mounted cannon about 1839. Thus the initial name of the area was Habitacion de Redmond or Rancho de Redmond. Later the area would be called Carrizo and serve as a settlement center. In 1858 the name was changed to Bellville to honor Governor Bell, but by 1870 it was again called Carrizo. Subsequent to relocation, after heavy flooding by the Rio Grande, the town was named Zapata in honor of local revolutionary Col. Antonio Zapata of Gurrerro. D. D. Lovell served there in numerous capacities: Postmaster, district clerk, deputy clerk, and county justice. Deed records indicate that in November of 1869 Lovell arranged to rent the lands and Redmond's store dwelling. Redmond family history says that Henry hired Lovell as manager for his business and appointed him county clerk. Dr. Lovell had wealth in his own right as the l870 census with $3,000 in real estate and $3,000 in personal estate. Records show that in the midst of numerous raids by Mexican bandits, Carrizo was attacked and Lovell was shot dead on April 19, 1875. Newspapers reported that the bandits were collecting cattle, goods, and cash wherever they could when, "Dr. Lovell was killed at Carriza (Redmond's Ranch) on 19 inst., by a band of raiders from Mexico"(Galveston Weekly News April 26, 1875, p.1, col. 5). Sheriff Flores of Zapata County wrote Judge Russell claiming the marauders robbed Lovell of $4,000 in money and goods while also taking $1,000 in money belonging to the state of Texas. Elizabeth Ada is variously called in subsequent records Mrs. E. A. Lovell or Mrs. D. D. Lovell. On July 6, 1875 she as Mrs. E. A. Lovell of Carrizo appoints Theodore W. Gillette to represent her interests, and he subsequently sells for Mrs. D. D. Lovell all stock and the 320 acres of land known as the Ranch La Cerra. When Elizabeth applies for the settlement of Lovell's estate, without a long legal process, her attorney reports to Judge Theodore S. Dix that Lovell died intestate "with a wife and one child" and that his share of estate was valued at $1,500. At that point in time (1876) Elizabeth was in Wisconsin, presumably with family members. She then married Stanley Osborne Welch on May 27, 1880. In the 1880 census records of Texas, this couple and her son, Frederick Lovell, reside on Chaparral Street. Census records show Elizabeth as 34 at the time of the 1880 census so she was had been widowed at about age 28. She had a daughter by Welch, but Elizabeth died on Dec. 15, 1883. Little Ada Julia Welch outlived her mother only by a few years, dying of diphtheria on Feb. 5, 1886. Judge Welch would also die violently like Dr. Lovell. While serving as district judge and monitoring elections on the border in Rio Grande City, Stanley Welch was shot as he read in bed in Nov. of 1906. Little Frederick was left without either biological parent at age 10. It seems he never really recovered from the trauma as he later fell in with friends who left him a penniless alcoholic. Early documents from Corpus Christi indicate Fred was noted for his speaking ability (see public school awards article from Caller of 23 June 1888). He later was master of the sailing boat "Vaughn" that was often chartered by local groups (see Caller of 18, July 1891). He later worked with his stepbrother Dwight Brewster in Mexico before returning to the United States where his notice of death lists him as a mining engineer. He died at St. Joseph' s Infirmary in.Houston while visiting from San Antonio where he was then a resident. According to the Houston Chronicle (June 15, 1918 on page 5. col. 2). Fred was found on the morning of June 14 at Congress Avenue and Dowling Street with his skull crushed. It was believed he was struck by an International and Great Northern passenger train, but no one saw the accident. He never regained consciousness and his death certificate indicates that he must have died shortly around the midnight separating June 14 and 15 . The only surviving blood relative is listed as an uncle named "Ed Tremble" who reportedly lives in Luling, Texas and was expected to be in Houston to make arrangements for the funeral at Westheimer's.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
6. Additional Biographical Information
A native of England, Elizabeth Ada, initially married a Mr. James Lovell and to them was born a son, Frederick Lovell (circa 1873). The census records of 1870 indicate James and Elizabeth living in Zapata County on the Rancho Carrizo in 1870. It could be that this is the same Mr. Lovell who is reported killed in the 1870s by Cortinistas or other lawless men. One report says he was Dr. Lovell, deputy collector of customs in Carrizo. Another report speaks of a Judge Lovell who was killed while serving near Laredo.
Elizabeth married Stanley Welch, a lawyer and later District Judge of south Texas, in Corpus Christi on May 27, 1880. They had a daughter, Ada Julia Welch, and both mother and daughter were seriously sick in December of 1883. Elizabeth Ada died at 7pm on Saturday, December 15, 1883 and was buried in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Stanley subsequently married the widow Mrs. Lyman D. Brewster (formerly Azalie Frances Howell) on November 8, 1884. Stanley and Azalie continued to raise Elizabeth's children Frederick Lovell and Ada Julia Welch.
Little Ada Julia herself died at 2:15 am on Friday, February 5, 1886, after suffering from diphtheria for 11 days. She was only 4 years, 1 month, and 26 days old at that time. It is very possible that she too was put to rest next to her mother in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
7. News item, 1872
From her first marriage to Dr. D. D. Lovell
Dr. Lovell and wife arrived in the city, from Carrizo, on the Rio Grande, late on Saturday last.
Source: Nueces Valley, Dec. 30, 1871, p. 3, col 1
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
Note: Carrizo is present day Zapata, TX
8. News and Obituary
Mrs. Stanley and her little daughter have been very sick. At one time little Ada's life was despaired of, but good treatment at last had the desire effect and the little one is now out of all danger for the present.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, November 11, 1883, p. 5, col 4
Died at 7:00 p.m., Saturday Dec. 15, Mrs. Ada Welch, wife of Stanley Welch, Esp., of this city. We stopped the press at a late hour last night to make this sad announcement. For days Mrs. Welch has been at the point of death. All the medical attendance and constant nursing of a devoted husband could not bring her back to health. The Caller sympathizes with the bereaved family.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, December 23, 1883, p. 5, col 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission