WELDER, Mrs. Dolores, Beeville Bee, 30 Aug 1898:

The Victoria Advocate of last week contains the following biography of Mrs. Dolores Welder, 
a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of this section:

The funeral of the late Mrs. Dolores Welder took place this afternoon September 16, 1898 
at four o'clock from St. Mary's Catholic church and her remains were laid to rest in the 
Catholic cemetery.  

Mrs. Dolores Welder was the eldest child of the founders of the colony of Power & Hewitson 
and signer of the declaration of Texas independence.  She was born at Mission Refugio about 
65 years ago.  Her mother was the daughter of Felipe Roque Portilla, the first wife of Col. Power, 
who died during the Texas revolution, leaving Mrs. Welder and a brother, James Power, orphans 
at a very early age.  

Col. Power married again the sister of his first wife, and of this union there were five children, 
Mrs. Lambert, Mrs. Wilson, Philip Power, Miss Mary Power and Mrs. Franklin of Refugio, the latter 
now deceased.

Col. Power died in the early 50's, but his second wife, the step-mother and aunt of Mrs. Welder, 
lived until about six years ago, and made her home in Refugio.  James Power, the second, 
died at Refugio in the 80's, leaving three children, two daughters and a son, the latter being 
James F. Power, of Refugio.

When about fifteen years of age Dolores Power became the wife of John Welder, and for a number 
of years resided on a ranch on the Aransas river, moving later to the town of Refugio.  About 1870 Mr. 
Welder was murdered by Mexicans while going to St. Mary's from Refugio.  Mr. Welder was born at 
Badspack, Bavaria and came to this country when but eight years of age.  He was a man of energy, 
and by careful management and hard work laid the foundation for a splendid fortune.

Mrs. Welder was the mother of ten children, all born in Refugio County.  They are Miss Lizzie Welder, 
John J. Welder, Phillip R. Welder, Mrs. Dora Dunlap, wife of Hon. E. L. Dunlap, Mrs. Mary Abney, 
wife of Dr. O. L. Abney, James F. Welder, Mrs. Julia Daniel, Mrs. J. H. Fleming, Miss Lina Welder and 
Frank A. Welder.  

Mrs. Welder is survived by all except Mrs. Daniel who died in August 1896 and left an orphan son.