Historical Marker

Welder Ranch

Historical marker location:
US 77 about 6 mi. N of Sinton, Sinton, Texas
( from Sinton, take US 77 6 miles north to Welder Wildlife entrance)
Marker installed: 1983

Original homesite and Mexican land grant of Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla and wife Maria Ignacia de la Garza spanish empresario in Texas 1807-1812 forerunner of Stephen F. Austin founder of San Marcos de Neve 1807 joined irish colony of Col. James Power and James Hewetson 1828 received mexican land grant at this site 1834 daughter Maria Dolores de la Portilla married Col. James Power 1832 and had two children Dolores and James Power, Jr. after Dolores died 1836 Col. James Power married her sister Maria Tomasa de la Portilla and had five children. 1850 ranch of John Welder and wife Dolores Power daughter of Col. James Power and Dolores de la Portilla Power. Col. James Power was an empresario and soldier signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Republic of Texas constitution John Welder came to America from Bavaria with his father Franz Welder 1830 landed at Copano 1833 with Beales and Grant Colony oldest son of John Welder and wife Dolores Power John J. Welder married Eliza Hughes daughter of Patrick Hughes Ireland to Texas 1852 Capt. in confederate army wife Elizabeth Traylor daughter of Winn Traylor Texas land grant 1840 this land still owned and ranched by descendants of these great texans.